The Sikorsky XBLR-3 was an experimental
bomber
A bomber is a military combat aircraft that utilizes
air-to-ground weaponry to drop bombs, launch aerial torpedo, torpedoes, or deploy air-launched cruise missiles.
There are two major classifications of bomber: strategic and tactical. Strateg ...
design developed by
Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. It was established by the Russian-American aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky in 1923, and was among the first companies to manufacture helicopters for civilian ...
to compete in the
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) was the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army between 1926 and 1941. After World War I, as early aviation became an increasingly important part of modern warfare, a philosophical ri ...
"Project D" design competition of 1935.
In March 1936 the USAAC canceled the Sikorsky XBLR-3 in favor of the remaining two competitors: the
Boeing XBLR-1 (Later XB-15) and the
Douglas XBLR-2 (Later XB-19). The XBLR-3 was one of the last fixed wing aircraft designed by the Sikorsky company.
Design and development
The Sikorsky XBLR-3 was powered four 1600 hp 24 cylinder
Allison V-3420
The Allison V-3420 was a large experimental piston aircraft engine, designed in 1937 by the American Allison Engine Company.
Design and development
In 1937, at the behest of the United States Army Air Corps, the Allison Engine Company agreed t ...
engine driving one 4.57m diameter metal adjustable propeller each. The Allison V-3420 engine was specified for all three entries in the 1935 "Project D" competition.
Details of the Sikorsky XBLR-3's armament are not known, however a rotating dorsally-mounted
Ball turret
A ball turret is a spherical-shaped, altazimuth mount Aircraft gun turret, gun turret, fitted to some American-built aircraft during World War II. The name arose from the turret's spherical housing.
It was a manned turret, as distinct from remot ...
was included in the preliminary wooden model, and bombs of unknown parameters can be assumed to be included in the design perimeters.
Specifications
Size
Span: 62.45m (204.9 ft)
Length: 36.58m (120 ft)
Height: 10.67m (35 ft)
Mass
Takeoff Weight: 54,422Kg (120,000 lb.)
Performance
Top Speed: 355 km/h (221 mph / 192 knots)
Cruising Speed: 205km/h (127 mph / 111 knots)
Maximum Range: 12,312km (7,652 mi. / 6,648 nm)
Flight Endurance: 62 hours
References
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BLR-3
Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United States
Four-engined tractor aircraft
Low-wing aircraft
Four-engined piston aircraft
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