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ULTRA STEALTH 2008 SPECIAL REPORT
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ULTRA STEALTH TOP STORY

 

Is Northrop Grumman building a secret bomber prototype? In late April, the company revealed first-quarter financial results. Data indicated $2 billion in new "restricted programs" contract awards at Integrated Systems, the aircraft division. This almost certainly confirms what DTI first reported earlier this year: Northrop Grumman has a classified, sole-source contract to build a demonstrator for the U.S. Air Force's Next-Generation Bomber (DTI March, p. 30).
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ULTRA STEALTH TIMELINE

U.S. Bomber Development Timeline

1948 - Strategic Air Command's only nuclear-armed bomber at the start of the year is still the World War 2 era Boeing B-29 Superfortress.

Under development, and undergoing flight tests, are the Boeing B-50, a re-engined and improved version of the B-29; the Convair B-36 intercontinental bomber; the Boeing B-47 medium jet bomber; and the Northrop YB-49 flying-wing bomber.

Boeing is designing a next-generation heavy bomber, the XB-52, with a straight wing and turboprop engines.

June 1948 - The Boeing B-50 enters service with the 43rd Bombardment Wing, based at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. The first B-36As are delivered to the USAF, but the first model is used for training.

July 1948 - Boeing receives a USAF contract to develop a new medium bomber, the XB-55. It is in the same size class as the B-47, but uses newer wing and engine technology.

October 1948 - The US Air Force approves development of the B-36D, fitted with auxiliary jet engines which dramatically improve its speed and survivability.

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