![]() ![]() In November 1941, the United States Army Air Forces signed a contract for two experimental aircraft under the designation XB-36, based on design studies previously submitted by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation. At the time, these requirements far exceeded the best technology available. On 1941 April 11, the AAC issued a design competition for an aircraft with a 275 mph (445 km/h) cruising speed, a service ceiling of 45,000 ft (14,000 m), capable of delivering 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) of bombs to targets 5,000 miles (8,000 km) away. This possibility led to AAC to seek a bomber of truly intercontinental range. If the United States joined the war against the Axis Powers, the fall of Britain would leave no bases in Europe from which the United States Army Air Corps (AAC) could bomb Germany. ![]() In 1941, the fall of Britain to a German invasion seemed imminent. It was also well suited to high altitude very long range reconnaissance missions, and several alterations were made with this mission profile in mind. ![]() It underwent a number of design changes before being withdrawn from service in 1959. In 1948, the B-36 become a mainstay of the American nuclear deterrent. The development of the Convair B-36 strategic bomber began in 1941 with the XB-36, which was intended to meet the strategic needs of the US Army Air Forces, and later of the United States Air Force with its Strategic Air Command. ![]()
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