Douglas A-3 Skywarrior, "Whale"

Biggest and heaviest aircraft ever designed for routine use from an aircraft carrier, the Skywarrior was the Navy's first twin-jet nuclear bomber and has been in service for over twenty years. Design of this truly great aircraft was undertaken in early 1947 in answer to an RFP (Request for Proposals) circulated to selected aircraft manufacturers by the Bureau of Aeronautics. At that time the aircraft was intended for use aboard the new super carrier being planned by the Navy, and the RFP specified that the bomber was to be capable of carrying a 10,000-lb (4,536-kg) nuclear device a distance of 2,000 naut miles (3,700 km) and then return to its carrier. Furthermore, gross weight was not to exceed 100,000 lb. (45,360 kg) and power was to be supplied by two new turbojets in the 10,000 lb. (4,536 kg) thrust class.