https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-58_Hustler
The Convair B-58 Hustler was the first operational supersonic jet bomber capable
of Mach 2 flight. The aircraft was designed by Convair engineer Robert H. Widmer
and developed for the United States Air Force for service in the Strategic Air
Command (SAC) during the 1960s. It used a delta wing, which was also employed by
Convair fighters such as the F-102, with four General Electric J79 engines in
pods under the wing. It carried five nuclear weapons; four on pylons under the
wings, and one nuclear weapon and fuel in a combination bomb/fuel pod under the
fuselage, rather than in an internal bomb bay.
Replacing the Boeing B-47 Stratojet medium bomber, it was originally intended to
fly at high altitudes and supersonic speeds to avoid Soviet fighters. The B-58
received a great deal of notoriety due to its sonic boom, which was often heard
by the public as it passed overhead in supersonic flight.
The introduction of highly accurate Soviet surface-to-air missiles forced the
B-58 into a low-level penetration role that severely limited its range and
strategic value, and it was never employed to deliver conventional bombs. This
led to a brief operational career between 1960 and 1970 when the B-58 was
succeeded by the smaller, swing-wing FB-111A
The B-58 crews were chosen from other strategic bomber squadrons. Due to some
characteristics of delta-winged aircraft, new pilots used the Convair F-102
Delta Dagger as a conversion trainer, before moving to the TB-58A trainer.[24]
The B-58 was difficult to fly and its three-man crews were constantly busy, but
its performance was exceptional. A lightly loaded Hustler would climb at nearly
46,000 ft/min (235 m/s).[25] In addition to its much smaller weapons load and
more limited range than the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, the B-58 had also been
extremely expensive to acquire.
Specifications (B-58A)
General characteristics
Crew: 3: pilot; observer (navigator, radar operator, bombardier); defense system
operator (DSO; electronic countermeasures operator and pilot assistant).
Length: 96 ft 10 in[66] (29.5 m)
Wingspan: 56 ft 9 in[66] (17.3 m)
Height: 29 ft 11 in (8.9 m)
Airfoil: NACA 0003.46-64.069 root, NACA 0004.08-63 tip
Empty weight: 55,560 lb (25,200 kg)
Loaded weight: 67,871 lb (30,786 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 176,890 lb (80,240 kg)
Dry thrust: 10,400 lbf dry thrust (52.9 kN) () each
Thrust with afterburner: 15,600 lbf (69.3 kN) each
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0068
Aspect ratio: 2.09
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.0[66] (1,319mph) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
Cruise speed: 610 mph (530 kn, 985 km/h)
Combat radius: 1,740 mi (1,510 nmi, 3,220 km)
Ferry range: 4,100 nmi (4,700 mi, 7,600 km)
Service ceiling: 63,400 ft (19,300 m)
Rate of climb: 17,400 ft/min (88 m/s) at gross weight[67]
Thrust/weight: 0.919 lbf/lb
Lift-to-drag ratio: 11.3 (subsonic, "clean configuration")
Armament
(8,820 kg)
Avionics
AN/APB-2 Bombing radar[68]
AN/APN-110 Doppler navigational radar[69] (part of Sperry AN/ASQ-42 Navigation &
Bombing System)[70]
AN/APN-170 Terrain-following radar[69]
AN/APR-12 Radar warning receiver[71]
Hughes Aircraft AN/APQ-69 podded Side looking airborne radar (mounted on
RB-58A)[72]
Goodyear AN/APS-73 podded synthetic aperture radar (mounted on RB-58A)
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