XB-70, 1965-1969

   [See XB70.jpg, XB-70.jpg]
   
   The XB-70 was the world's largest experimental aircraft. Capable of
   flight at speeds of three times the speed of sound (2,000 mph) at
   altitudes of 70,000 ft, the XB-70 was used to collect in-flight
   information for use in the design of future supersonic aircraft,
   military and civilian.
   
   The major objectives of the XB-70 flight research program were to
   study the airplane's stability and handling characteristics, to
   evaluate its response to atmospheric turbulence, and to determine the
   aerodynamic and propulsion performance. In addition there were
   secondary objectives to measure the noise and friction associated with
   air flow over the airplane and to determine the levels and extent of
   the engine noise during take off, landing, and ground operations.
   
   The XB-70 was 189 ft long, 30 ft high, with a wingspan of 105 ft.
   Fully fueled it weighed over 500,000 lb.
   
   Originally conceived as an advanced bomber for the United States Air
   Force, production of the XB-70 was limited to two aircraft when it was
   decided to limit the aircraft's mission to flight research. First
   flight of the XB-70 was made on Sept. 21, 1964. The number two XB-70
   was destroyed in a mid-air collision on June 8, 1966. Program
   management of the NASA-USAF research effort was assigned to NASA in
   Mar., 1967. The final flight was flown on Feb. 4, 1969.
   
   Designed by Rockwell International (North American Rockwell) the XB-70
   had a long fuselage with a canard or horizontal stabilizer mounted
   just behind the crew compartment. It had a thin 65.5 degree swept
   delta wing. The outer portion of the wing could be folded down in
   flight to provide greater lateral-directional stability. The airplane
   had two windshields: a moveable outer windshield was raised for
   high-speed flight to reduce drag and lowered for greater visibility
   during take off and landing. The forward fuselage was constructed of
   riveted titanium frames and skin. The remainder of the airplane was
   constructed almost entirely of stainless steel. The skin was a brazed
   stainless-steel honeycomb material. Six General Electric YJ-93
   turbojet engines, each in the 30,000-lb thrust class, powered the
   XB-70. Internal geometry of the inlets was controllable to maintain
   most efficient airflow to the engines.
   
  XB-70 FLIGHT SUMMARY
  
   XB-70 Pilots in chronological order and number of flights as pilot and
   co-pilot:
   
     * Alvin White, NAR, 49 as pilot, 18 as co-pilot
     * Joseph Cotton, USAF, 19 as pilot, 43 as co-pilot
     * Van Shepard, NAR, 23 as pilot, 23 as co-pilot
     * Fitzhugh Fulton, USAF and NASA, 31 as pilot, 32 as co-pilot
     * Carl Cross, USAF, 1 as co-pilot
     * Donald Mallick, NASA, 4 as pilot, 5 as co-pilot
     * Emil Sturmthal, USAF, 3 as pilot, 7 as co-pilot
       
   First flight was on Sept. 21, 1964, with White and Cotton as crew.
   
   Final flight was on Feb. 4, 1969, with Fulton and Sturmthal as crew.
   
   Fastest mph flight was on Jan. 12, 1966, speed was 2,020 mph with
   White and Cotton as crew.
   
   Fastest Mach flight was on Apr. 12, 1966, achieved Mach 3.08 with
   White and Cotton as crew.
   
   Highest flight was on Mar. 19, 1966, attained 74,000 ft with White and
   Shepard as crew.
   
   Total flight time is 252 hr and 38 min. Breakdown of flight time is:
   Subsonic, 145 hr and 28 min; Mach 1-2, 55 hr and 50 min; Mach 2-3, 49
   hr and 32 min; Mach 3, 1 hr and 48 min.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
     
   
    Don Nolan
    Dryden Public Affairs Office
    (805) 258-3447
    Don_Nolan@qmgate.dfrf.nasa.gov