Event Brief
Oct 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET
Air Force chose XB-70 over proposed RB-12
By The BriefBrief · Sources (1)
In 1961, the RB-12 concept—an A-12 Oxcart-derived aircraft redesigned to carry four nuclear bombs at Mach 3.2 and 90,000 feet—drew interest from Gen. Curtis LeMay and Gen. Thomas Power. The Air Force instead favored the six-engine XB-70 Valkyrie, while the move toward ballistic missiles further undermined the RB-12 proposal; related technology later survived in the SR-71.
WHO: U.S. Air Force
WHAT: The Air Force favored the XB-70 Valkyrie over the proposed RB-12.
WHEN: 1961
WHERE: USA
WHY: The XB-70's backers inside the Air Force would not consider another aircraft for the mission, and the shift toward ballistic missiles further sidelined the RB-12.
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