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VariantsBased on US Air Force Individual Aircraft Record Cards. AFHRA files AC-53/55/71, ACA-34/47/64/89 and AVH-01 through 29
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:Two JB-57A's reassigned from temporary to permanent research, development and evaluation duties |
:Two JB-57A's reassigned from temporary to permanent research, development and evaluation duties |
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;RB-57A |
;RB-57A |
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:Photo reconnaissance production version with cameras installed aft of the bomb bay; 67 built. RB-57A avionics included an AN/APS-11A transponder and AN/APA-90 Indicator Group for [[command guidance]] (LEFT, RIGHT, CLIMB, DESCEND, BOMB, etc.) and was tested{{Where|date=April 2013}} for "[[Ground-directed bombing|MSQ-1 controlled]] pinpoint photography" in 1954 ("Night Photo Bombing" capacity was 21 [[M-120 Photoflash Bombs]]).<ref>{{Cite report|type=Interim Report: Project No. APG/TAT/122-A |publisher=Air Proving Ground Command |date=14 September 1954 |title=Operational Suitability Test of the RB-57A Aircraft |location=Eglin AF Base, Fla |volume=DTIC AD-046 931 (cleared for public release, 4 May 2000) |quote=Radar contact was frequently lost by the ground station when the aircraft was in banks of 15-20 degrees or more. This was attributed to the location of the [AN/APS-11A transponder] antennae on the aircraft. … All drops consisted of three bombs individually released with the aircraft intended to be directly over the target when the second bomb exploded. Bursting altitudes were computed for one-half of release altitude. … The RB-57A is suitable for night photographic reconnaissance when operating within range of either ground radar or Shoran installations}}</ref> |
:Photo reconnaissance production version with cameras installed aft of the bomb bay; 67 built. RB-57A avionics included an AN/APS-11A transponder and AN/APA-90 Indicator Group for [[command guidance]] (LEFT, RIGHT, CLIMB, DESCEND, BOMB, etc.) and was tested{{Where|date=April 2013}} for "[[Ground-directed bombing|MSQ-1 controlled]] pinpoint photography" in 1954 ("Night Photo Bombing" capacity was 21 M-120 [[photoflash bomb]]s).<ref>{{Cite report|type=Interim Report: Project No. APG/TAT/122-A |publisher=Air Proving Ground Command |date=14 September 1954 |title=Operational Suitability Test of the RB-57A Aircraft |location=Eglin AF Base, Fla |volume=DTIC AD-046 931 (cleared for public release, 4 May 2000) |quote=Radar contact was frequently lost by the ground station when the aircraft was in banks of 15-20 degrees or more. This was attributed to the location of the [AN/APS-11A transponder] antennae on the aircraft. … All drops consisted of three bombs individually released with the aircraft intended to be directly over the target when the second bomb exploded. Bursting altitudes were computed for one-half of release altitude. … The RB-57A is suitable for night photographic reconnaissance when operating within range of either ground radar or Shoran installations}}</ref> |
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;RB-57A-1 |
;RB-57A-1 |
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:Ten RB-57A's modified for high-altitude photographic reconnaissance under the ''Heart Throb'' program (see the main text for details) |
:Ten RB-57A's modified for high-altitude photographic reconnaissance under the ''Heart Throb'' program (see the main text for details) |
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