SR-71 Blackbird vs XB-70 Valkyrie
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The SR-71 Blackbird is faster: 3,540 km/h against 3,309 km/h for the XB-70 Valkyrie. The XB-70 Valkyrie flies further: 6,900 km against 5,400 km for the SR-71 Blackbird. The XB-70 Valkyrie has the wider wingspan: 32 m against 16.9 m for the SR-71 Blackbird. The XB-70 Valkyrie is heavier at takeoff: 246 tonnes against 78 tonnes for the SR-71 Blackbird. Both first flew in 1964.
| SR-71 Blackbird | XB-70 Valkyrie |
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| Top speed | 3,540 km/h (2,200 mph) | 3,309 km/h (2,056 mph) |
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| Range | 5,400 km (3,355 miles) | 6,900 km (4,287 miles) |
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| Length | 32.7 m (107 ft) | 57.6 m (189 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 16.9 m (56 ft) | 32 m (105 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 78 t (171,959 lb) | 246 t (542,332 lb) |
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| First flight | 1964 | 1964 |
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| Crew and capacity | 2 crew | 2 crew |
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| Engines | 2 × J58 turbo-ramjet | 6 × YJ93 afterburning turbojet |
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| Built by | Lockheed | North American |
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| Country | USA | USA |
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