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B-57 Canberra

B-57 Canberra
Martin B-57A USAF 52-1418.jpg
B-57A in flight over Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
Role Tactical bomber
Manufacturer Martin
First flight 20 July 1953
Introduction 1954
Retired 1983 (USAF)
1985 (Pakistan)
Status Retired (3 still used by NASA)
Primary users United States Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
Republic of China Air Force
Number built 403
Unit cost
US$1.26 million (B-57B)
Developed from English Electric Canberra
Variants Martin RB-57D Canberra
Developed into Martin/General Dynamics RB-57F Canberra
External video
Documentary on the Martin B-57 Canberra
Footage of B-57 Canberras in service
Period film on B-57 Emergency Single-Engine Landing Procedure
NASA B-57 Canberra at Prestwick, Scotland

The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twinjet tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1953. The B-57 is a license-built version of the British English Electric Canberra manufactured by the Glenn L. Martin Company. Initial Martin-build models were highly similar to their British-built counterparts; Martin later modified the design to incorporate larger quantities of US-sourced components and produced the aircraft in several different variants.

The B-57 Canberra holds the distinction of being the first jet bomber in U.S. service to drop bombs during combat. The Canberra was used extensively during the Vietnam War in a bombing capacity; dedicated versions of the type were also produced and served as high-altitude aerial reconnaissance platforms (the Martin RB-57D Canberra), and as electronic warfare aircraft. The B-57 Canberra was also sold to export customers abroad, further combat use was seen by the Pakistani Air Force during the Second Kashmir War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

In 1983, the USAF opted to retire the type; the B-57 Canberra's retirement marked the ending of the era of the tactical bomber that had its beginning with the British World War I De Havilland DH-4 bomber. The three remaining flightworthy WB-57Fs are technically assigned to the NASA Johnson Space Center, next to Ellington Field in Houston, as high-altitude scientific research aircraft, but are also used for testing and communications in the U.S. and Afghanistan.


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