Martin XB-16

The Martin XB-16, company designation Model 145, was a projected heavy bomber designed in the United States (US) during the 1930s.

Design and development

The XB-16 was designed to meet the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs 5,000 mi (8,000 km; 4,300 nmi).

The XB-16 (Model 145A) was to use four Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline engines; contemporary American aircraft used air-cooled radial engines.

In 1935, Martin revised the XB-16 design as the Model 145B. The wingspan was increased from 140 ft (43 m) to 173 ft (53 m), and a set of V-1710 engines added to the trailing edge. This version had a wingspan 20% greater than that of the B-29 Superfortress, the first operational bomber that would fill the role intended for the XB-16.

The XB-16 was cancelled for essentially the same reason 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 an XB-16.