page_title: North American B-45 Tornado
section_title: Specifications (B-45A)
hierarchical_section_title: North American B-45 Tornado / Specifications (B-45A)
caption_attribution_description: North American XB-45 cutaway drawing
context_page_description: The North American B-45 Tornado was an early American jet-powered bomber designed and manufactured by aircraft company North American Aviation. It has the distinction of being the first operational jet bomber to enter service with the United States Air Force, as well as being the first multiengine jet bomber in the world to be refueled in midair.
  The B-45 originated from a wartime initiative launched by the U.S. War Department, which sought a company to develop a jet-propelled bomber to equal those being fielded by Nazi Germany, such as the Arado Ar 234. Following a competitive review of the submissions, the War Department issued a contract to North American to develop its NA-130 proposal; on 8 September 1944, work commenced on the assembly of three prototypes. However, progress on the program was delayed by post-war cutbacks in defense expenditure, but soon regained importance due to growing tensions between America and the Soviet Union. On 2 January 1947, North American was issued with a production contract for the bomber by the USAF, which had been designated B-45A. On 24 February 1947, the first prototype performed its maiden flight.
context_section_description: General characteristics
  Crew: 4 (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Bombardier-Navigator and Tail Gunner)
  Length: 75 ft 4 in (22.96 m)
  Wingspan: 89 ft 0 in (27.13 m)
  Height: 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m)
  Wing area: 1,175 sq ft (109.2 m²)
  Airfoil: root: NACA 66–215; tip: NACA 66–212
  Empty weight: 45,694 lb (20,726 kg)
  Gross weight: 81,418 lb (36,931 kg)
  Max takeoff weight: 91,775 lb (41,628 kg)
  Powerplant: 4 × General Electric J47-GE-13 turbojet engines, 5,200 lbf (23 kN) thrust each 
  Performance
  Maximum speed: 566 mph (911 km/h, 492 kn)
  Cruise speed: 365 mph (587 km/h, 317 kn)
  Range: 1,192 mi (1,918 km, 1,036 nmi)
  Ferry range: 2,170 mi (3,490 km, 1,890 nmi)
  Service ceiling: 46,000 ft (14,000 m)
  Rate of climb: 5,200 ft/min (26 m/s)
  Wing loading: 69.3 lb/sq ft (338 kg/m²)
  Thrust/weight: 0.26
  Armament
  Guns: 2 × 0.50 in (13 mm) M3 machine guns (tail turret).
  Bombs: Up to 22,000 lb (10,000 kg)
caption: Cutaway view of XB-45. Note the intended radar-sighted tail gun position, later replaced by a conventional manned position.
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