page_title: Martin B-57 Canberra
section_title: Variants
hierarchical_section_title: Martin B-57 Canberra / Variants
caption_attribution_description: English: NASA 926, a WB-57F high altitude research aircraft.
context_page_description: The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twinjet tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 is a license-built version of the British English Electric Canberra, manufactured by the Glenn L. Martin Company. Initial Martin-build models were virtually identical to their British-built counterparts; Martin later modified the design to incorporate larger quantities of US-sourced components and produced the aircraft in several different variants.
  The B-57 Canberra holds the distinction of being the first jet bomber in U.S. service to drop bombs during combat. The Canberra was used extensively during the Vietnam War in a bombing capacity; dedicated versions of the type were also produced and served as high-altitude aerial reconnaissance platforms, and as electronic warfare aircraft. The B-57 Canberra was also sold to export customers abroad; further combat use was seen by the Pakistani Air Force during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
  In 1983, the USAF opted to retire the type; the B-57 Canberra's retirement marked the ending of the era of the tactical bomber.
context_section_description: B-57A
  First production version; eight built.
  B-57B
  Definitive production version, tandem cockpit, 8x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns or 4x 20 mm cannons, four underwing hardpoints; 202 built.
  B-57C
  Dual-control trainer, first flight: 30 December 1954; 38 built.
  B-57E
  Dual-control trainer and target tug, first flight: 16 May 1956; 68 built.
  B-57G
  B-57Bs modified as night intruders with FLIR, LLTV and laser designator in the nose, capable of using laser-guided bombs; 16 converted.
  EB-57A
  Electronic aggressor aircraft converted from RB-57As.
  EB-57B
  ECM aircraft converted from B-57Bs.
  EB-57D
  ECM aircraft converted from RB-57Ds.
  EB-57E
  Electronic aggressor aircraft converted from RB-57Es.
  RB-57A
  Photo reconnaissance version with cameras installed aft of the bomb bay; 67 built.  RB-57A avionics included an AN/APS-11A transponder and AN/APA-90 Indicator Group for command guidance (LEFT, RIGHT, CLIMB, DESCEND, BOMB, etc.) and was tested for "MSQ-1 controlled pinpoint photography" in 1954 ("Night Photo Bombing" capacity was 21 M-120 Photoflash Bombs).
  RB-57B
  Photo-reconnaissance aircraft converted from B-57Bs for the Air National Guard.
  RB-57C
  Photo-reconnaissance aircraft converted from B-57Cs for the Air National Guard.
  RB-57D
  see: Martin RB-57D Canberra
  High-altitude strategic reconnaissance version, J57-P-9 engines, wingspan increased to 106 ft (32.31 m), first flight: 3 November 1955; 20 built.
  RB-57E
  Basic photo-reconnaissance conversion for the Air National Guard.
  RB-57E (Patricia Lynn Project)
  B-57Es modified to all-weather reconnaissance aircraft, used in "Patricia Lynn" missions during the Vietnam War; six converted.
  RB-57F
  see: Martin RB-57F Canberra
  High-altitude strategic reconnaissance version developed by General Dynamics. Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofan engines, wingspan increased to 122 ft (37.5 m), first flight 23 June 1963; 21 built.
  WB-57D
  Air Weather Service RB-57Ds used for nuclear atmospheric sampling testing.
  WB-57F
  Air Weather Service upgraded WB-57Ds. Used by NOAA from 1960-1971.
caption: A WB-57F flies over the Gulf of Mexico near its base at NASA JSC.
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