Intercontinental bombers will have to fly fast and high, as well as far, if their crews are to get home again. The best the U.S. has at present is the B-36, but at least three more super-bombers are in the development stage.
A super-bomber, says the Air Force, must have a combat radius of 5,000 miles with a bombload of 10,000 lbs., should be able to hit 500 m.p.h. at 55,000 ft. It must carry guns and, perhaps, air-to-air guided missiles, too. But its principal defenses will be altitude and speed. Interceptors are faster...
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