On June 8, 1966, the XB-70 Valkyrie, a high-speed experimental bomber, broke apart midair over California after colliding with a smaller fighter jet, the F-104 Starfighter. The crash killed two pilots and marked the end of a program that had already been deemed obsolete by the time the aircraft was completed. The XB-70 was designed to fly at Mach 3—over 2,000 miles per hour—at altitudes of more than 70,000 feet, with the goal of delivering a nuclear bomb to the Soviet Union faster than any enemy aircraft or missile could intercept. However, by the early 1960s, the world had changed, and the need for such a plane had faded. The XB-70 was developed by North American Aviation in the late 1950s. It featured a massive delta-shaped wing, six powerful jet engines, and a fuselage as long as a commercial airliner. Its unique aerodynamic design allowed it to generate lift through a process called "compression lift," where the aircraft's shape created a shock wave that helped it glide at high speeds. Despite its advanced technology and impressive performance, the XB-70 never saw combat or even flew over enemy territory. The program had already been canceled in 1961 due to advances in missile technology, which made high-speed, high-altitude bombers like the Valkyrie vulnerable and unnecessary. The crash of the second XB-70 in 1966 occurred during a photo session organized by General Electric. The pilot of the F-104, Joe Walker, had expressed concerns about the risks of the flight, believing it to be too dangerous and lacking in scientific value. The investigation later found that the crash was caused by the wake vortex from the XB-70’s wings—turbulent air patterns that can behave like mini-tornadoes—causing the F-104 to lose control and collide with the Valkyrie. The impact destroyed part of the Valkyrie, leading to an uncontrolled spin and a fatal crash. The only remaining XB-70, which never participated in the 1966 accident, continued to be used as a test aircraft for several years. It is now displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. The aircraft stands as a silent reminder of a Cold War-era project that aimed to secure American aerial dominance but ultimately became a victim of rapid technological change and shifting military priorities.