Boeing B-54
B-54 | |
---|---|
Mockup of the B-54 | |
Role | Strategic bomber |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Boeing |
Status | Canceled |
Primary user | United States Air Force (intended) |
Number built | 0 |
Developed from | B-50 Superfortress
|
The Boeing B-54 was an American strategic bomber designed by Boeing for use by the United States Air Force. Derived from the
Design and development
Begun in 1947, the B-54 was the planned production version of the
On May 29, 1948, contracts were placed by the Air Force for 14 B-54A bombers and 29 RB-54A reconnaissance aircraft.[2][3][4][1] However, on April 18, 1949, the B-54 project was cancelled due to the development of better-performing jet aircraft; construction of the prototype B-54A had started at Seattle but was never completed.[1] The cancellation was lambasted by the Seattle press, who claimed that it was a political decision instead of a military one.[5]
Variants
- B-54A
- Intended production version of the YB-50C
- RB-54A
- Reconnaissance version
Specifications
Data from [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 10
- Length: 111 ft (34 m)
- Wingspan: 161 ft 0 in (49.08 m)
- Height: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
- Gross weight: 230,000 lb (104,326 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-51 radial piston, 4,500 hp (3,400 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 430 mph (690 km/h, 370 kn)
- Cruise speed: 305 mph (491 km/h, 265 kn)
- Range: 9,000 mi (14,000 km, 7,800 nmi)
- Ferry range: 10,562 mi (16,998 km, 9,178 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,000 m) service
Armament
- Guns: 14 × .50-caliber machine guns in turrets
- Bombs: 36,000 pounds (16,000 kg)
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Convair B-36
- Tupolev Tu-85
Related lists
- List of bomber aircraft
- List of military aircraft of the United States
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
- Jones, Lloyd S (1974) [1962], U.S. Bombers, B-1 1928 to B-1 1980s (2nd ed.), Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, ISBN 0-8168-9126-5.
- "Factsheets: Boeing B-54A". National Museum of the United States Air Force. July 7, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved 2017-07-09.
- Olson, James C. (2003). Stuart Symington: A Life. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. ISBN 978-0-82621503-1.
- Redding, Robert; Yenne, Bill (1989). Boeing: Planemaker to the World. New York: Crescent Books. ISBN 978-0-51742270-0.
- Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-87474880-2.
- Wagner, Ray (1968). American Combat Planes. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-38504134-8.