The gorgeous B-58 Hustler was the world's first operational supersonic bomber and also the first bomber to achieve the epochal speed of Mach 2. However, the combination of a high accident rate and huge maintenance demands, along with the advent of the intercontinental ballistic missile, served to cut its career to 10 years.rnIn its development of this bomber, Convair used its experience with the XF-92, F-102, and F-106 to push delta wing research. The B-58 had no internal weapons stowage and made use of stainless-steel honeycomb construction for lower weight and greater strength. The B-58featured a conical camber delta wing with four pylon-mounted jet engines, no horizontal tail, and a dual-purpose, two-part streamlined pod to carry fuel and weapons under a long, narrowfuselage. The fuel portion of the pod was jettisoned in-bound to the target. In addition, the B-58 featured electronic controls considered highly advanced for the day, with automated voice messages and warnings. SAC delayed acceptancernof the aircraft because of equipment malfunctions, structural fatigue, high cost, and bombing system inadequacies.These difficulties continued even after 116 aircraft had been procured.
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