In 1944 North American began studies for a jet powered bomber, and this NA-130 matured as a conventional aircraft with the exception of its jet power plant, one pair of 4,000-lb thrust Allison built General Electric J35-A-4 engines under each wing. The first of three XB-45 prototypes flew in March 1947, and orders were placed for 96 B-45A production aircraft. The B-45A enter service in November 1948, and while the first 22 retained the J35 the others used the identically rated General Electric J47. Some 14 aircraft were modified as TB-45A target tugs, and the last B-45As were retired in 1958. The B-45C, of which only 10 were built, had 5,200-lb thrust J47s and structural strengthening for heavier weights. A variant of this model was the RB-45C, of which 33 were delivered up to October 1953 as photo reconnaissance aircraft with greater fuel capacity, 12 cameras and 25 photoflash bombs.

Description	Specifications
Manufacturer: North American	Length: 75 ft. 11 in.
First Flight: March 1945	Height: 25 ft. 2 in.
Model: C	Wing Span: 96 ft. 0 in.
Crew: Four	Wing Area: 1,175.0 sq. ft.
Nickname: Tornado	Empty Weight: 49,984 lb.
Basic Role: Day and night photo reconnaissance aircraft.	Max. Weight: 110,721 lb.
Other Versions: B-45A initial bomber model. TB-45A Target tug conversions. B-45C improved bomber. RB-45C reconnaissance version.	Armament: Two 0.5-in 12.7-mm machine guns in a tail turret.
Principal User: USA.	Propulsion
Performance	Power Plant: General ElectricJ47-GE-13/15 turbojets.
Range: 2,530 miles.	Horsepower: 6,000-hp thrust.
Max. Speed: 570 mph. at 4,000 ft.	No. Of Engines: Four
Ceiling: 40,250 ft.
Climb Rate: 4,340 ft. per minute.