A front view of the B-58A in the "clean" configuration
Cutaway diagram of the J79 with components labeled
Cutaway of an air start system of a General Electric J79 turbojet. The small turbine and epicyclic gearing are clearly visible.
Data from Quest for Performance[36]
General characteristics
Crew: 3: pilot; observer (navigator, radar operator, bombardier); defense system operator (DSO; electronic countermeasures operator and pilot assistant).
Length: 96 ft 10 in[37] (29.5 m)
Wingspan: 56 ft 9 in[37] (17.3 m)
Height: 29 ft 11 in (8.9 m)
Wing area: 1,542 ft² (143.3 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 0003.46-64.069 root, NACA 0004.08-63 tip
Empty weight: 55,560 lb (25,200 kg)
Loaded weight: 67,871 lb (30,786 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 176,890 lb (80,240 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × General Electric J79-GE-5A turbojet
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0068
Drag area: 10.49 ft² (0.97 m²)
Aspect ratio: 2.09
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.0[37] (1,319mph) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
Cruise speed: 610 mph (530 kn, 985 km/h)
Combat radius: 1,740 mi (1,510 nmi, 3,220 km)
Ferry range: 4,100 mi (4,700 nmi, 7,600 km)
Service ceiling: 63,400 ft (19,300 m)
Rate of climb: 17,400 ft/min (88 m/s) at gross weight[38]
Wing loading: 44.0 lb/ft² (215 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0.919 lbf/lb
Lift-to-drag ratio: 11.3 (without weapons/fuel pod)
Armament
Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.79 in) T171 cannon[37]
Bombs: 4× B43 or B61 nuclear bombs; maximum weapons load was 19,450 lb (8,820 kg)
Avionics
AN/APB-2 Bombing radar[39]
AN/APN-110 Doppler navigational radar[40] (part of Sperry AN/ASQ-42 Navigation & Bombing System)[41]
AN/APN-170 Terrain-following radar[40]
AN/APR-12 Radar warning receiver[42]
Hughes Aircraft AN/APQ-69 podded side-looking aperture radar (mounted on RB-58A)[43]
Goodyear AN/APS-73 podded synthetic aperture radar (mounted on RB-58A)[42]
