The article "Convair B-58 Hustler — The Strategic Bomber Built to End the World" by Will Dabbs discusses the development and history of the Convair B-58 Hustler, an American strategic bomber. It begins with a personal anecdote from 1968, where the author recalls seeing three B-58s flying overhead, leaving a lasting impression. The B-58 Hustler was designed during the Cold War for a singular purpose: to deliver nuclear weapons. Its delta-wing design enabled it to achieve speeds of Mach 2 at altitudes of 70,000 feet, making it a highly advanced aircraft for its time.
The article discusses the aircraft's engineering marvels and drawback. The B-58 was difficult to fly and had a high accident rate, losing 24 out of 116 built. Initially designed for high-altitude missions, the B-58 was later modified for low-altitude strikes as advancements in surface-to-air missile technology minimized its survivability in high-altitude missions. The bomber carried nuclear weapons and was powered by four General Electric J79 engines, making it expensive to operate due to its high fuel consumption. Despite these challenges, the B-58 set numerous speed records and was a vital component of America's nuclear triad during its decade-long service starting in 1960.
The piece also delves into some unusual flight characteristics and its ejection system designed to protect the crew in supersonic ejections. The B-58 Hustler is portrayed as an emblem of the technological prowess of its era, despite not being used in combat. The author provides a detailed technical overview, balancing admiration for its design with an acknowledgment of its practical limitations in peacetime. The article concludes by positioning the B-58 as an important yet extreme example of Cold War aerospace innovation, reflecting the period's high-stakes military strategies.
Read the full article here: Convair B-58 Hustler — The Strategic Bomber Built to End the World
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