Northrop YB-49
Specs, top speed, range and facts
The Northrop YB-49 is an experimental jet flying-wing bomber built by Northrop in the USA. It first flew in 1947, but it never entered regular service. Remove the body and tail so the whole plane is one big wing with very little drag.
- Top speed793 km/h (493 mph)
- Range2,600 km (1,616 miles)
- First flight1947
- Wingspan52.4 m (172 ft)
Northrop YB-49 specs
| Top speed | 793 km/h (493 mph) |
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| Range | 2,600 km (1,616 miles) |
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| Service ceiling | 13,900 m (45,604 ft) |
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| Length | 16.2 m (53 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 52.4 m (172 ft) |
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| Height | 4.6 m (15 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 89 t (195,107 lb) |
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| Crew and capacity | 7 crew |
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| Engines | 8 × Allison J35 turbojet |
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| First flight | 1947 |
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| Entered service | Never entered regular service |
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| Built by | Northrop (USA) |
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Northrop YB-49 facts
- A jet-powered flying wing with no tail, built decades before the B-2 Spirit.
- Only two YB-49s were built, but its ideas lived on in the B-2.
Quick quiz
When did the Northrop YB-49 first fly?
In 1947.
Who built the Northrop YB-49?
Northrop, in the USA.
How fast can the Northrop YB-49 fly?
Its top speed is 793 km/h (493 mph).
How far can the Northrop YB-49 fly?
About 2,600 km (1,616 miles).
Photos, a true-scale silhouette, quizzes, flashcards, the Size Lab and the Sky Run game.
Northrop YB-49 vs similar aircraft
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