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The XB-70 was a prototype strategic bomber for the [[United States Air Force]]. It had speed well over Mach 1, and thus was hard to destroy with fighter interceptors. Only two were built for testing at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], [[California]].
The XB-70 was a prototype strategic bomber for the [[United States Air Force]]. It had speed well over Mach 1, and thus was hard to destroy with fighter interceptors. Only two were built for testing at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], [[California]].
The XB-70 hd several notable features, among them an escape pod which, should the airplane depressurize, would automatically move up and enclose the 2 man crew. From there, the pilot could decide to shoot the escape pod loose from the airplane or keep it on. If the pod was jettisoned, the pilot had limited control over it.
[[Image:XB-70_flight.jpg|thumb|right|An XB-70 in flight.]]
The XB-70 had several notable features, among them an escape pod which, should the airplane depressurize, would automatically move up and enclose the 2 man crew. From there, the pilot could decide to shoot the escape pod loose from the airplane or keep it on. If the pod was jettisoned, the pilot had limited control over it.
The bomber was intended to operate at high altitudes so as to avoid Soviet missiles. It made its maiden flight on [[September]] 21, 1964. On the very first flight, the hydraulic mechanism to raise the landing gear went awry, forcing the prototype to fly landing gear down. It suffered fuel leaks also, and the engine construction proved unsuitable for such high speeds. The first aircraft attained a speed of Mach 3.02 at 70,000 feet on [[October]] 14, 1965, but the speed damaged the engine badly and ripped two feet of wing off the left side.
The bomber was intended to operate at high altitudes so as to avoid Soviet missiles. It made its maiden flight on [[September]] 21, 1964. On the very first flight, the hydraulic mechanism to raise the landing gear went awry, forcing the prototype to fly landing gear down. It suffered fuel leaks also, and the engine construction proved unsuitable for such high speeds. The first aircraft attained a speed of Mach 3.02 at 70,000 feet on [[October]] 14, 1965, but the speed damaged the engine badly and ripped two feet of wing off the left side.