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[[Image:XB-70_flight.jpg|thumb|right|An XB-70 in flight.]]
[[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 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 Valkyrie used the theory of 'Compression lift', trapping its own shock wave at high speed by drooping the outer 30% of the wing by as much as 65%.
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 also suffered fuel leaks 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 badly damaged the engine 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 also suffered fuel leaks 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 badly damaged the engine and ripped two feet of wing off the left side.