The manned missile; the story of the B-70

By Ed Rees

Subjects: Air Force, USAF, Bombers, Aeronautics, Aviation, Military, History

Description: Memorable tracing of the history of the astounding Valyrie aircraft, the B-70, an intercontinental bomber which flew so high and so fast it earned the nickname "The Manned Missile" and was, in General Lemnitzer's own words to the Secretary of Defense, "The B-70 is not just an airplane; it is a national aeronautical development. It is a breakthrough into a new era of flying." The mach-3 example of "American ingenuity interruptus" was doomed to a short life because of its expense and because of the development of intercontinental ballistic missle systems; but the B-70 nevertheless stunned and influenced the Soviet Union at a key point in the Cold War, and earned an esteemed place in the history of aviation technology.