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YB-49 Northrop
YB-49, YRB-49
Strategic Bomber Prototype
Reconnaissance Prototype

DESCRIPTION:
Jack Northrop was a long-time believer in the potential of tailless aircraft and flying wings who had begun experimenting with such craft during the late 1920s. His most successful design emerged during World War II as the XB-35 long-range bomber that competed for a production contract with the B-36 Peacemaker. Although the XB-35 possessed significant payload capacity, tremendous range, and was found to be an adequately stable bombing platform, the company knew the arrival of the jet engine signalled the end of the aircraft's chances of going into production.
Northrop then requested additional funds to equip two of the XB-35 prototypes with jet engines. This conversion was accomplished by replacing the four piston-powered pusher props of the XB-35 with eight Allison turbojet engines. Other modifications included the addition of four vertical stabilizers along the trailing edge and "air dams," or wing fences, extending ahead of the stabilizers to minimize cross-flow along the swept wing.
The conversion process took two years, and the first jet-powered YB-49 made its first flight in 1947. Although the jet engines increased maximum speed by some 100 mph (160 km/h) and eliminated vibration troubles experienced with the piston engines, the poor fuel efficiency of the early jets reduced both range and payload. The flying wing also displayed stability problems that could not be corrected with technology available at the time, but the design's marginal stability was generally deemed sufficient for accurate bombing.
Nonetheless, the project suffered a staggering setback when the second prototype crashed following an in-flight structural failure that killed all aboard. Among the victims of the fatal accident was co-pilot Capt. Glen Edwards for whom Edwards Air Force Base was later named. The first prototype also suffered an untimely end when, during high-speed taxi tests, a violent instability developed in the nose gear causing it to collapse and breaking the plane in two. However, the most damaging blow to the future of the B-49 program came when a report blasted the plane's yaw and pitch stability during bombing runs. It was also later discovered that turbulence around the bomb bay induced oscillations on dropped ordnance that resulted in large targeting errors. Thanks to this myriad of problems and the realization that the B-49 offered few advantages over the more conventional B-47 and B-52, the YB-49 was cancelled in 1949.
The last hope for Northrop came when the Air Force expressed interest in developing a reconnaissance version of the YB-49. Though the small radar cross-section of the flying wing had been noticed during flight tests, it was the design's long range and high cruising altitude that most attracted the Air Force's interest. Northrop was then contracted to convert another of the XB-35 airframes into the YRB-49 spy plane prototype. Though most of the modifications made were similar to those applied to the earlier YB-49, the new aircraft was fitted with only six turbojet engines. Four of these powerplants were mounted in the trailing edge with another two placed in underwing pods near the leading edge. The relocation of these two engines allowed fuel capacity to be increased while the pylons themselves provided greater vertical surface area to improve yaw stability.
Although 30 RB-49s were originally ordered, the demise of the B-49 led to the cancellation of the contract before the first YRB-49 had even flown. After completing thirteen flight tests, the single YRB-49 was put into storage and later scrapped. The Air Force also ordered all remaining XB-35s destroyed leaving none of the remarkable flying wings to survive.
However, Jack Northrop's vision was finally realized in the 1980s when the Air Force unveiled the B-2 stealth bomber. While the early flying wings suffered from numerous stability problems, the B-2 employs advanced fly-by-wire control systems that make the flying wing exceptionally stable.
Last modified 29 August 2010

HISTORY:

First Flight 21 October 1947

Service Entry

did not enter service

CREW: (YB-49) six: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, radio operator, bombardier, gunner
plus provision for a relief crew and two additional gunners planned for the production model
(YRB-49) six: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, radio operator, photo navigator, radar navigator

ESTIMATED COST:

unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root NACA 65-019

Wing Tip

NACA 65-018

DIMENSIONS:

Length 53.08 ft (16.18 m)

Wingspan 172.00 ft (52.43 m)

Height (YB-49) 15.17 ft (4.63 m)
(YRB-49) 20.08 ft (6.12 m)

Wing Area 4,000 ft² (371.5 m²)

Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:

Empty 88,100 lb (40,000 kg)

Normal Takeoff (YB-49) 194,000 lb (88,000 kg)
(YRB-49) 175,000 lb (79,365 kg)

Max Takeoff (YB-49) 213,500 lb (96,840 kg)
(YRB-49) 206,000 lb (93,440 kg)

Fuel Capacity internal: unknown
external: unknown

Max Payload

16,000 lb (7,255 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant (YB-49) eight Allison J35-A-5 turbojets
(YRB-49) six Allison J35-A-19 turbojets

Thrust (YB-49) 32,000 lb (142.35 kN)
(YRB-49) 30,000 lb (133.45 kN)

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude:
(YB-49) 495 mph (795 km/h)
(YRB-49) 440 mph (710 km/h)
at sea level: unknown
cruise speed:
(YB-49) 420 mph (675 km/h)
(YRB-49) 390 mph (630 km/h)

Initial Climb Rate unknown

Service Ceiling (YB-49) 40,700 ft (12,415 m)
(YRB-49) 42,600 ft (12,995 m)

Range (YB-49) 2,740 nm (5,080 km)
(YRB-49) 2,280 nm (4,225 km)

g-Limits unknown

ARMAMENT:

Gun two electrically-operated four-gun tail turrets and four electrically-operated, remotely-controlled, two-gun turrets

Stations one internal weapons bay

Air-to-Air Missile none

Air-to-Surface Missile none

Bomb (YB-49) various free-fall conventional or nuclear bombs
(YRB-49) six T-89 photoflash bombs

Other none

KNOWN VARIANTS:

XB-49 Possibly the original designation for the first YB-49, this designation is referred to in some early Northrop literature but is not believed to ever have been used by the US Air Force

YB-49 XB-35 bomber prototypes that had the original powerplant of four piston engines replaced by eight turbojets and were also modified by the addition of four rudders and fences along the swept wings, the second aircraft crashed in 1948 and the first was destroyed when the nose gear collapsed during taxi tests in 1950; 2 converted

YRB-49 XB-35 bomber prototype that was rebuilt as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft prototype with four jet engines along the wing trailing edge and two mounted in pylons near the leading edge, also equipped with camera equipment and a radar navigation system in the center and aft fuselage, completed 13 test flights before being put into storage and later scrapped; 1 converted

KNOWN OPERATORS:

United States (US Air Force)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

YB-49

SOURCES:

Air Force Museum XB-49 site

Air Force Museum YB-49 site

Air Force Museum YRB-49 site

Aviation Enthusiast Corner YB-49 site

Aviation Enthusiast Corner YRB-49 site

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 710.

Military Aircraft Database YB-49 site

northrop.host.sk YB-49 site

Nurflugel YB-49 site

The Jet Genesis YB-49 site

Winchester, Jim. Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2005, p. 192-193, Northrop XB-35/YB-49.

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	Northrop YB-49, YRB-49 Strategic Bomber Prototype Reconnaissance Prototype

DESCRIPTION: Jack Northrop was a long-time believer in the potential of tailless aircraft and flying wings who had begun experimenting with such craft during the late 1920s. His most successful design emerged during World War II as the XB-35 long-range bomber that competed for a production contract with the B-36 Peacemaker. Although the XB-35 possessed significant payload capacity, tremendous range, and was found to be an adequately stable bombing platform, the company knew the arrival of the jet engine signalled the end of the aircraft's chances of going into production. Northrop then requested additional funds to equip two of the XB-35 prototypes with jet engines. This conversion was accomplished by replacing the four piston-powered pusher props of the XB-35 with eight Allison turbojet engines. Other modifications included the addition of four vertical stabilizers along the trailing edge and "air dams," or wing fences, extending ahead of the stabilizers to minimize cross-flow along the swept wing. The conversion process took two years, and the first jet-powered YB-49 made its first flight in 1947. Although the jet engines increased maximum speed by some 100 mph (160 km/h) and eliminated vibration troubles experienced with the piston engines, the poor fuel efficiency of the early jets reduced both range and payload. The flying wing also displayed stability problems that could not be corrected with technology available at the time, but the design's marginal stability was generally deemed sufficient for accurate bombing. Nonetheless, the project suffered a staggering setback when the second prototype crashed following an in-flight structural failure that killed all aboard. Among the victims of the fatal accident was co-pilot Capt. Glen Edwards for whom Edwards Air Force Base was later named. The first prototype also suffered an untimely end when, during high-speed taxi tests, a violent instability developed in the nose gear causing it to collapse and breaking the plane in two. However, the most damaging blow to the future of the B-49 program came when a report blasted the plane's yaw and pitch stability during bombing runs. It was also later discovered that turbulence around the bomb bay induced oscillations on dropped ordnance that resulted in large targeting errors. Thanks to this myriad of problems and the realization that the B-49 offered few advantages over the more conventional B-47 and B-52, the YB-49 was cancelled in 1949. The last hope for Northrop came when the Air Force expressed interest in developing a reconnaissance version of the YB-49. Though the small radar cross-section of the flying wing had been noticed during flight tests, it was the design's long range and high cruising altitude that most attracted the Air Force's interest. Northrop was then contracted to convert another of the XB-35 airframes into the YRB-49 spy plane prototype. Though most of the modifications made were similar to those applied to the earlier YB-49, the new aircraft was fitted with only six turbojet engines. Four of these powerplants were mounted in the trailing edge with another two placed in underwing pods near the leading edge. The relocation of these two engines allowed fuel capacity to be increased while the pylons themselves provided greater vertical surface area to improve yaw stability. Although 30 RB-49s were originally ordered, the demise of the B-49 led to the cancellation of the contract before the first YRB-49 had even flown. After completing thirteen flight tests, the single YRB-49 was put into storage and later scrapped. The Air Force also ordered all remaining XB-35s destroyed leaving none of the remarkable flying wings to survive. However, Jack Northrop's vision was finally realized in the 1980s when the Air Force unveiled the B-2 stealth bomber. While the early flying wings suffered from numerous stability problems, the B-2 employs advanced fly-by-wire control systems that make the flying wing exceptionally stable. Last modified 29 August 2010
HISTORY:
First Flight	21 October 1947
Service Entry	did not enter service
CREW:	(YB-49) six: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, radio operator, bombardier, gunner plus provision for a relief crew and two additional gunners planned for the production model (YRB-49) six: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, radio operator, photo navigator, radar navigator
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	NACA 65-019
Wing Tip	NACA 65-018
DIMENSIONS:
Length	53.08 ft (16.18 m)
Wingspan	172.00 ft (52.43 m)
Height	(YB-49) 15.17 ft (4.63 m) (YRB-49) 20.08 ft (6.12 m)
Wing Area	4,000 ft² (371.5 m²)
Canard Area	not applicable
WEIGHTS:
Empty	88,100 lb (40,000 kg)
Normal Takeoff	(YB-49) 194,000 lb (88,000 kg) (YRB-49) 175,000 lb (79,365 kg)
Max Takeoff	(YB-49) 213,500 lb (96,840 kg) (YRB-49) 206,000 lb (93,440 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: unknown external: unknown
Max Payload	16,000 lb (7,255 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	(YB-49) eight Allison J35-A-5 turbojets (YRB-49) six Allison J35-A-19 turbojets
Thrust	(YB-49) 32,000 lb (142.35 kN) (YRB-49) 30,000 lb (133.45 kN)
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: (YB-49) 495 mph (795 km/h) (YRB-49) 440 mph (710 km/h) at sea level: unknown cruise speed: (YB-49) 420 mph (675 km/h) (YRB-49) 390 mph (630 km/h)
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	(YB-49) 40,700 ft (12,415 m) (YRB-49) 42,600 ft (12,995 m)
Range	(YB-49) 2,740 nm (5,080 km) (YRB-49) 2,280 nm (4,225 km)
g-Limits	unknown
ARMAMENT:
Gun	two electrically-operated four-gun tail turrets and four electrically-operated, remotely-controlled, two-gun turrets
Stations	one internal weapons bay
Air-to-Air Missile	none
Air-to-Surface Missile	none
Bomb	(YB-49) various free-fall conventional or nuclear bombs (YRB-49) six T-89 photoflash bombs
Other	none
KNOWN VARIANTS:
XB-49	Possibly the original designation for the first YB-49, this designation is referred to in some early Northrop literature but is not believed to ever have been used by the US Air Force
YB-49	XB-35 bomber prototypes that had the original powerplant of four piston engines replaced by eight turbojets and were also modified by the addition of four rudders and fences along the swept wings, the second aircraft crashed in 1948 and the first was destroyed when the nose gear collapsed during taxi tests in 1950; 2 converted
YRB-49	XB-35 bomber prototype that was rebuilt as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft prototype with four jet engines along the wing trailing edge and two mounted in pylons near the leading edge, also equipped with camera equipment and a radar navigation system in the center and aft fuselage, completed 13 test flights before being put into storage and later scrapped; 1 converted
KNOWN OPERATORS:	United States (US Air Force)
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Air Force Museum XB-49 site Air Force Museum YB-49 site Air Force Museum YRB-49 site Aviation Enthusiast Corner YB-49 site Aviation Enthusiast Corner YRB-49 site Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 710. Military Aircraft Database YB-49 site northrop.host.sk YB-49 site Nurflugel YB-49 site The Jet Genesis YB-49 site Winchester, Jim. Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2005, p. 192-193, Northrop XB-35/YB-49.