The North American B-45 Tornado is an early American jet bomber designed and manufactured by aircraft company North American Aviation. It has the distinction of being the first operational jet bomber to enter service with the United States Air Force (USAF), as well as the first multiengine jet bomber to be refueled in midair .

Design of the Tornado began during World War II, and the B-45 made its first flight in March 1947. North American built 142 B-45s, including 10 long-range B-45Cs with wingtip fuel tanks and 33 RB-45Cs configured for high-altitude photo reconnaissance and aerial refueling.

The North American B-45 Tornado was designed and produced by North American Aviation as a jet-powered bomber during the early years. It was known as the first operational jet bomber that served the United States Air Force, and the first multi-engine jet bomber to be refueled in midair.

2021年2月13日 · The B-45 saw service in the Korean War where it proved its value as both a bomber and as a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and was able to outrun and outmaneuver the enemy’s MiG fighters...

The B-45 Tornado was the first American four-engine jet bomber to fly, and the first American production jet bomber, built by North American Aviation. It was also the first jet bomber capable of carrying an atomic bomb, and the first multi-jet reconnaissance aircraft to refuel in mid-air.

2023年1月19日 · The North American B-45 Tornado – NOT to be confused with the Panavia Tornado fighter-bomber that carried out daring low-level air raids against Saddam Hussein’s airfields during Operation Desert Storm and suffered frightening losses in the process – made her maiden flight on St. Patrick’s Day 1947 – six months before the U.S. Air ...

On March 17, 1947, the North American B-45 Tornado, a fine but often forgotten plane, made its first flight and was fielded for duty a year later, becoming the first U.S. jet-powered nuclear bomber.

3 天之前 · But from May of 1952 until July of 1958, the B-45 stood front line duty as the nuclear arm of the USAF in Europe. While the B-45 was far from ideal, and its limited range meant it would be a one way mission, the B-45 was all we had until the B-47 came on-line.

The North American B-45 Tornado was the United States Air Force's (USAF) first operational jet bomber, and the first multi-jet engined bomber in the world to be refueled in mid-air. The B-45 was an important part of the United States's nuclear deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was soon superseded by the Boeing B-47 Stratojet.

2021年9月22日 · The North American B-45 Tornado racked up an impressive number for firsts. It was the United States Air Force’s (USAF) first 4 jet engine bomber and their first operational jet bomber. The B-45 was also the first jet powered bomber in the world to be refueled in midair.