Avro Vulcan Skybolt testing

Avro Vulcan B2 Skybolt testing

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• aircraft
• bomber

[evilintel]

Another great idea screwed-up by McNamara.

[sjpor1]

Agreed evilintel. He also fucked up Vietnam.

[avrovulcan617]

Thanks for posting this video as it shows some good footage from Avro at Woodford.

[sthom1968]

Nice little video, covers the sad story rather well. There's a good article on the cancellation by Ken young in the Journal of Strategic Studies, 27:4, 614-635. I have to disagree with Gyrocage though, Skybolt would never have worked as intended anyway, the tech just wasn't up to it at the time; Polaris was the viable platform and it's what the UK preferred.

[Gyrocage]

There is little doubt that Skybolt would have worked, and if paired with V-bombers on continuous airborne alert (as was the plan) would indeed have provided a virtually invulnerable deterrent force. However the cost of maintaining such bombers on 24 hour airborne alert was monstrous. The Polaris system cost less to operate and had all the advantages of Skybolt - perhaps more.

The turbofan B-52H was SAC's Skybolt launcher. 102 were delivered, but 200 more were canceled after Skybolt's demise.