Hal Markarian
Hal Markarian was an Armenian American aircraft designer who would be known for implementing the initial designs of the B-2 Stealth Bomber. He produced a sketch that has been a recognizable ancestor of the modern B-2 Spirit.[1] Today's B-2 Spirit has incorporated much of Markarian's design and has sustained the initial intentions which produced it.
Design for the B-2 Stealth Bomber
During the initial project of the Stealth Bomber, Hal Markarian was appointed as project manager.[2]
The first sketches of the aircraft was done by Markarian in June of 1979.[3] Markarian's proposal was one of the two designs that were considered in the making of the Stealth Bomber. Markarian's design proposal was very similar to the YB-49, an aircraft designed by Northrop Grumman three decades earlier in 1947.[4]
The design was under the influence of Irv Waaland and John Cashen who were experts in stealth technology.[3] The team also included aerodynamicist Hans Grellman, as well as Dick Scherrer, a designer who had arrived from Lockheed.[5] The design, which was the ancestor of the modern B-2 Stealth Bomber, was much lighter and thinner in design and had six engines which were most likely equipped for GE F404 engines.[1] The aircraft had a diamond shaped center body which served to accommodate a crew, fuselage and weapons.[3]
The aircraft design that Northrop Grumman would later adopt for the Stealth Bomber was very similar in design.[1] An exception to Markarian's design would be a deeper center-section of the aircraft. Due to demands from the Strategic Air Command, the aircraft also became much heavier and had larger weapon carriers.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Sweetman, Bill (1999). Inside the stealth bomber. Zenith Imprint. ISBN 1610606892. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Northrop B-2A Spirit". Joe Baugher. October 16, 2001. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ a b c Norris, Guy (June, 1991). "B-2's Changing Shape" (PDF). Flight International. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "B-2 Spirit History". Air Attack. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ Goebel, Greg (Feb. 1, 2012). "The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber". AirVectors. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
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