Northrop YB-35
The Northrop YB-35 was an experimental American heavy bomber developed by Northrop Corporation during the 1940s. Featuring a radical flying wing design, the YB-35 was intended to provide greater range and efficiency than conventional bombers. Although it never entered production, the YB-35 was a technological forerunner to later flying wing aircraft, including the B-2 Spirit.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Experimental Heavy Bomber |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Northrop Corporation |
| First Flight | June 25, 1946 |
| Number Built | 2 prototypes |
| Crew | 9 |
Specifications
| Length | 53 ft 1 in (16.18 m) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 172 ft 0 in (52.43 m) |
| Height | 20 ft 2 in (6.15 m) |
| Wing Area | 4,000 sq ft (370 m²) |
| Empty Weight | 89,560 lb (40,630 kg) |
| Loaded Weight | 180,000 lb (81,650 kg) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 209,000 lb (94,800 kg) |
| Powerplant | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-17 Wasp Major radial engines (3,000 hp each), driving contra-rotating pusher propellers |
| Max Speed | 391 mph (629 km/h) |
| Cruise Speed | 220 mph (354 km/h) |
| Range | 8,150 mi (13,115 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 39,700 ft (12,100 m) |
Armament & Defensive Equipment
| Guns | 20 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns (in remote-controlled turrets) |
|---|---|
| Bomb Load | Up to 51,200 lb (23,200 kg) |
Notable Features
- Radical flying wing design for improved aerodynamic efficiency
- Intended for long-range strategic bombing missions
- Remote-controlled defensive turrets
- Precursor to the jet-powered YB-49 and modern B-2 Spirit
- Program cancelled in favor of more conventional bombers
The Northrop YB-35 was an experimental heavy bomber prototype developed by the Northrop Corporation for the U.S. Army Air Forces during and shortly after World War II. The YB-35 was the realization of Jack Northrop’s lifelong passion for the “flying wing” concept, a design in which the aircraft lacks a conventional fuselage and tail. The entire payload and crew are housed within a single, thick wing.
The Flying Wing Design
The YB-35 was a radical departure from conventional aircraft of its time. Its flying wing design aimed to reduce parasitic drag and eliminate unnecessary structural weight, with the goal of achieving superior speed, range, and fuel efficiency. The YB-35 had a massive wingspan of 172 feet (52.4 meters) and was powered by four Pratt & Whitney radial engines driving co-axial, contra-rotating pusher propellers mounted on the trailing edge of the wing.
The aircraft was intended to carry up to 52,200 lbs of bombs and could be defended by as many as 20 .50 caliber machine guns in remote-controlled turrets. Its design was so ambitious that it was envisioned as a long-range bomber that could strike Nazi-occupied Europe from North America in the event that Britain fell.
Cancellation and Legacy
Despite its ambitious design and the successful first flight in 1946, the YB-35 program was plagued by technical problems. The complex contra-rotating propellers and their gearboxes proved to be highly unreliable and difficult to maintain. The aircraft also suffered from stability issues, which made it a poor platform for a stable bomb run. By the late 1940s, the propeller-driven bomber was considered obsolete in the face of new jet technology.
In 1949, the program was canceled, and the existing prototypes were either scrapped or converted to a jet-powered version, the YB-49, which also failed to enter production. While the YB-35 never saw service, the project provided invaluable data on the aerodynamics and control of a flying wing. This research laid the groundwork for future Northrop designs, most notably the B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider, demonstrating that the YB-35’s ideas were simply decades ahead of the technology needed to make them fully successful.
You can watch a short history of the Northrop YB-35 flying wing to learn more about its design and legacy. Northrop XB-35 & YB-35 “Flying Wing” – A Short History.
