The North American B-45 Tornado was the United States’ first operational jet bomber and the first jet bomber to be refueled in midair. Entering service in 1948, the B-45 played a key role in the early years of the Cold War, serving as a bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, and nuclear delivery platform. It was used by both the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Air Force.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Jet Bomber / Reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| First Flight | March 17, 1947 |
| Service Entry | 1948 |
| Crew | 4 |
| Number Built | 143 |
Specifications (B-45A Model)
| Length | 75 ft 4 in (22.96 m) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 89 ft 0 in (27.13 m) |
| Height | 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m) |
| Wing Area | 1,175 sq ft (109.2 m²) |
| Empty Weight | 49,000 lb (22,226 kg) |
| Loaded Weight | 82,600 lb (37,484 kg) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 110,000 lb (49,895 kg) |
| Powerplant | 4 × General Electric J47-GE-13 turbojet engines (5,200 lbf each) |
| Max Speed | 570 mph (917 km/h) |
| Cruise Speed | 480 mph (772 km/h) |
| Range | 1,000 mi (1,600 km) with max bomb load |
| Service Ceiling | 46,000 ft (14,000 m) |
| Rate of Climb | 4,900 ft/min (24.9 m/s) |
Armament & Defensive Equipment
| Guns | 2 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in tail turret |
|---|---|
| Bomb Load | Up to 22,000 lb (9,980 kg) |
| Aiming Equipment | Bombsight, radar navigation, tail gun sight |
Notable Features
- First operational jet bomber for the U.S. Air Force
- First jet bomber to be refueled in midair
- Served as a nuclear delivery platform during the early Cold War
- Used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare missions
- Operated by both the USAF and Royal Air Force
The North American B-45 Tornado was a groundbreaking four-engine jet bomber that made history as the first operational jet bomber for the U.S. Air Force. It was a transitional aircraft that served a critical role in the early Cold War before being superseded by more advanced jet bombers.
Design and Role
The B-45 was a product of a World War II effort to counter Germany’s jet bombers like the Arado Ar 234. It was designed with a conventional straight-wing configuration and powered by four General Electric J47 turbojet engines. While its design was quickly rendered obsolete by swept-wing bombers like the B-47 Stratojet, the B-45 was able to perform both bombing and reconnaissance missions. Its key “firsts” included:
- The first American four-engine jet bomber to fly.
- The first multi-jet bomber to be refueled in mid-air.
- The first jet bomber capable of carrying a nuclear weapon.
Service History and Korean War
The B-45 entered service in 1948. Initially, it was deployed to serve as a conventional bomber, but it soon became a vital asset for both the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and Tactical Air Command (TAC). In the Korean War, the B-45 was a workhorse, flying both conventional bombing missions and, more importantly, high-speed reconnaissance missions. The reconnaissance variant, the RB-45C, was particularly valuable. Due to the threat of faster Soviet-built MiG-15 fighters, the B-45 was primarily limited to nighttime missions.
In the early 1950s, the B-45’s strategic importance surged when a number of aircraft were modified to carry nuclear weapons. This gave the U.S. a tactical nuclear deterrent in Europe, with B-45s stationed in the United Kingdom as a key deterrent against a potential Soviet ground attack.
Retirement and Legacy
The B-45 was a short-lived but impactful aircraft. It was retired from U.S. service by 1959, replaced by more capable bombers like the B-47 and later the B-58 Hustler. Despite its brief service, the B-45’s legacy is secure as the pioneering aircraft that defined a new era of jet-powered bombers for the U.S. military.
This video provides an in-depth look at the B-45’s history and its role as the first U.S. jet bomber.
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