The U.S. Air Force’s first operational supersonic bomber, optimized for high-speed nuclear strike.
Development
Convair B-58 Hustler was developed by Convair in United States as a bomber. The family first flew in 1956 and entered service in 1960. Its recorded airframe configuration is fixed wing, with the family classified in the archive as core combat-aircraft scope.
Operational History
Operationally, Convair B-58 Hustler is represented primarily in the bomber role. The sourced variant records include service with United States Air Force. The current structured record does not attach a specific conflict authority to this family; operational context remains limited to sourced service and role data. Role tags attached to the family include strategic bomber and nuclear strike.
Variants and Lineage
Major variants represented in the structured record include B-58A.
Variants
| Designation | Type | Role | Recorded operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-58A | Production | Bomber | United States Air Force |
Representative specifications
Configuration-specific profiles are shown separately so values from different variants are not blended into one false “standard” aircraft.
B-58A — C014 baseline technical profile
- Crew
- 3
Powerplant: 4 × General Electric J79 turbojets
Armament: Nuclear or conventional stores carried in centerline pod and pylons with tail defensive cannon.
Sources and further reading
Structured references supporting this aircraft family, variants, specifications, and narrative sections.
- Convair B-58A Hustler — National Museum of the United States Air Force · Tier 1