The XB-70 Valkyrie: A Supersonic Bomber's Rise and Fall
DEFENSE
The XB-70 Valkyrie was a Mach 3 bomber developed by North American Aviation for the U.S. Air Force, intended to replace the B-52 Stratofortress. Its first flight was in September 1964, but the program ended after a 1966 mid-air collision destroyed one prototype.
Changing military tactics and the rise of Soviet surface-to-air missiles diminished the bomber's strategic value. Ultimately, the Air Force canceled the production of the B-70 in 1961, with only two prototypes built.
The surviving Valkyrie provided valuable research data until 1969 and is now housed at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Feb 8, 2026, 8:04 AM