Martin XB-16

XB-16
The XB-16 was very similar to the Boeing XB-15, shown here. The XB-16 was about 20% longer, but essentially the same design.
Description
Role	Heavy Bomber
Crew	11
First Flight	n/a
Entered Service	n/a
Manufacturer	Glenn L. Martin Company
Number built	0
Dimensions
Length	115 ft	35 m
Wingspan	140 ft >>173 ft	42.7 m >>52.7 m
Height	ft	m
Wing Area	ft²	m²
Weights
Empty	104,880 lb	47,573 kg
Loaded	lb	kg
Maximum Takeoff	lb	kg
Capacity
Powerplant
Engines	Allison V-1710 liquid cooled inline engines (4>>6)
Power	850 hp	637 kW
Estimated Performance
Maximum Speed	235 mph >>190 mph	378 km/h >>306 km/h
Cruising Speed	140 mph	225 km/h
Combat Range	3,300 miles	5313 km
Ferry Range	miles	km
Service Ceiling	ft	m
Rate of Climb	ft/min	m/min
Wing Loading	lb/ft²	kg/m²
Power/Mass	.0324 hp/lb >>.0486 hp/lb	.054 kW/kg >>.08 kW/kg

Like the Boeing XB-15, the Martin XB-16 was designed to meet the U.S. Army's request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of bombs 5,000 miles (8045 km). Its design was very similar to that of the XB-15, but it was 30% longer.

The XB-16 was to use four Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline engines. (All other contemporary aircraft used radial air-cooled engines.)

In 1935, Martin revised the XB-16 design. The wing span was increased to 173 ft (52.7 m), and a set of V-1710 engines added to the trailing edge. This version had a wingspan nearly equal to that of a B-52 Stratofortress.

The XB-16 was cancelled for essentially the same reason that the B-15 project was: it wasn't fast enough to meet the requirements set by the army. Since both were cancelled around the same time, Martin did not have time to produce the XB-16.

External links

• USAF Museum description of XB-16 (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-12.htm)