From: kmr4@po.CWRU.edu (Keith M. Ryan ( aka. Wolphgang ))
Subject: Re: B-70
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 23:31:44 GMT


From kmr4@po.CWRU.edu (Keith M. Ryan ( aka. Wolphgang ))

In article <BvnEtI.Iv0@lawday.DaytonOH.NCR.COM> driver8@night.Corp.Sun.COM (Albert Handa) writes:

>Hello out there,
>
>I was in a recent discussion with another co-worker, and I mentioned some things about
>the B-70 Bomber that was built (I believe one or two prototypes), and it being a reason 
>for the Mig 25.  Then, the co-worker disagreed that the B-70 ever existed, and that no
>plane ever had any atomic power capabiltity so far. 
>
>[ mod note -- your friend is partially right and you are partially right --
>the B-70 existed (2 were built for flight testing), and one still exists --
>right here in Dayton Ohio at the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB.  It
>did not use nuclear power, but had 6 big monster jet engines, and relied on
>something called "compression lift" for part of it's performance envelope
>-- Mary Shafer -- any comments on how compression lift works? ]

	{ I do not have my reference sources with me, so I apoligize for any
factual errors. }

	The original concept for a new strategic bomber was the WS-
110A.	The WS-110A conceputal flight plan was originally envisioned of 
penetrating Soviet airspace by means of high altitute and extremely fast 
flight. It was a massive plane, with 6 huge engines, the initial goal was
a sustained >mach 3 bomber. This project was to become the XB-70 plane, and 
was contracted by North American Aviation in December 1957. ( note: it was
never completed beyond the experimental phase, so it was never officially 
designated "B-70" to my knowledge. It still remains as "XB-70" )

	Upon word of this, the Soviet High Command immediately began 
designing new super long range SAM's and a new generation of fighter/inter-
cepters. It called for a minimum of mach 2.8 sustained in combat dress, and
over 3.2 in a clean configuration. Manourverability was to be sacraficed for
speed. And, it was to have a high combat cealing. This project plane was the 
Ye-266 project, built by Mikoyan/Gurevich. In addition, they looked at 
various missile scemes for the new plane and for SAM's. I've read that they 
even looked into adapting their older nuclear missiles for interception 
duties. ( They really feared the prospect of this new bomber! )

	However, one ( XB-70 ) crashed during initial testing. ( I believe 
there was a collision between it and a Northrop F-5 chaseplane. ) Shortly 
after the initial flights, the idea of faster, higher is safer began to 
loose its favor in the high command. It was felt that the newer generation 
SAM's in the Soviet arsenol may be able to intercept and destroy the plane. 
It was also a maintanence nightmare, and a fuel hog. The remaining airplane 
was shortly stripped of key parts and put on display.

	However, the Soviets were too far along in their developement, 
and had invested too much money to terminate thier own programs. This new
breed of interceptor was to become the Mig-25. It had a newly designed, 
massive radar called Fox Fire, with a typical search range of about 75 miles.
It was armed with massive air to air missiles, the AA-6 acrid, in both radar
and IR guidance.

	This plane's ability was much overrated and speculated. At the time,
it's extremely poor manourverability was not well known by the west, and so,
the design program which would result in the F-15 was began.

	By today's standards, the plane is comically unmanourerable. This 
plane is routienly compared to the F-15. However, the performances can not
be accurately compared. The flight profiles of the two planes are radically
different. The initial job of the Mig-25 was speed. It was designed specifi-
cally to catch and destroy the XB-70 bomber. However, the Soviet's tried
to adapt the plane into a air superiority weapon, and thus the "foxhound"
was born. 

		
	However, the program proved very benificial in the area's of metalur-
lagy. Many developement went into the designing the airframe materials so it 
could withstand the extreme tempuratures. This was used in later projects,
including the later Nasa projects, and was used in the Lockheed Skunkwork
projects, including the A-11 and SR-71 spy plane.


>I remember it mainly in my memory, and wonder if anyone can post or send me any
>information on it.  I don`t have a bet riding on it or anything, but my co-worker still
>thinks I'm putting him on. 
>
>As I remember it:   It was built in the 60's, was nuclear powered (not thrust), was never
>                                 built as it was supposed to be built (a very fast high altitude bomber),
>                                 and came out as a compromised version.  

	It was not nulear powered. To my knowledge, there has never been
a plane with nuclear propulsion. Now, there may be some obscure one with 
a neuclear electrical generator, or atomic clock thou. I only know of 
one weapon system, the Doomsday Pluto missile which was to be nuclear pro-
pulsed. ( Thank god they never built that deathly weapon! )


	So, yes, the XB-70 existed, and as a result the Mig-25 was developed,
but it was NOT nuclear powered. (although it was to deliver nuclear weapons.)


HTH.

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