Ed Heinemann designed the Douglas B-66 Destroyer as a replacement for the Douglas A-26 Invader light bomber basing the design on the existing A-3 Skywarrior in service with the USN. The prototype first flew in 1954 and entered service with the USAF two years later in 1956. A total of 294 Douglas B-66 Destroyer's were produced and some were used during the Vietnam War in an electronic countermeasures role, others were used in both electronic reconnaissance and ECM roles during the Cuban Missile Crisis before being withdrawn from USAF active service in 1973. Douglas B-66 Destroyer Specifications: - Crew: 3
- Length: 75 ft 2 in (22.9 m)
- Wingspan: 72 ft 6 in (22.1 m)
- Height: 23 ft 7 in (7.2 m)
- Wing area: 780 ft² (72.5 m²)
- Empty weight: 42,540 lb (19,300 kg)
- Loaded weight: 57,800 lb (26,200 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 83,000 lb (38,000 kg)
- Engines: Twin 10,200 lbf (45 kN) Allison J71-A-11 or J71-A-13 turbojets
- Maximum speed: 631 mph (548 kn, 1,020 km/h)
- Combat radius: 900 mi (780 NM, 1,500 km)
- Service ceiling 39,400 ft (12,000 m)
Armament: - Twin 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon in a radar and remotely operated tail turret
- 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) of bombs
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