Coming soon from Air World and author Graham M Simons is North American XB-70 Valkyrie in Pictures: America’s Cold War Mach 3 Nuclear Bomber. The book explores the full story of the development of this legendary supersonic bomber using a unique collection of images. It also reveals the many challenges that the North American engineers faced, particularly with regards to engines and fuel, all of which are fully explained. In addition, it boasts first-hand testimony and analyses the accidents and incidents the aircraft were involved in, as well as a detailed timetable allowing the reader to comprehend the XB-70’s protracted history.

Flying at 70,000 feet, carrying nuclear weapons at Mach 3+ for thousands of miles, the North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was not merely going to redefine military aviation, but the very nature of warfare itself. The XB-70 flew so fast and so high it would only appear on radar screens for a fleeting moment, making it impossible for enemy controllers to direct their interceptors to the target before it flew out of range. When it was first designed in the 1950s, the enemy, meaning at the time the Soviet Union, had no aircraft that could match the XB-70’s capabilities, rendering it almost invulnerable. But, just as the US was developing its technologies, so too were the Soviets. The introduction of their first surface-to-air missiles led to the US adopting low-level missions to sneak under radar. This effectively neutralised the XB-70’s main characteristics and, ultimately, the programme, which had cost the United States a staggering $800 million, the equivalent to $8.4 billion in modern terms, was cancelled.

The 256 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for June 30.

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