Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the strategic bombers category.
01 / Overview
Convair B-58 Hustler
Category
Country
Production
1960–1964
Quantity
116
Unit Price (current)
$103.2M↗ 730% inflation · 1970→2025
Original Price
$12.4M (1970)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
STRATEGIC BOMBERS · EARLY COLD WAR
15
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
25
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$103.2M
Original: $12.4M (1970)
Inflation: +%730
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the strategic bombers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1956
- Service Entry Year1960
- Crew3
- Primary Rolesupersonic strategic bomber
- Generation2nd
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine Typeturbojet
- Engine ModelGeneral Electric J79
- Number of Engines4
- Thrust (dry, each)44
- Thrust (afterburner, each)69
- Thrust-to-Weight0.34
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel41,000 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed2,180 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
- Cruise Speed980 km/h
- Stall Speed290 km/h
- Service Ceiling19,000 m
- Ferry Range7,500 km
- Combat Radius2,900 km
- Rate of Climb235 m/s
- G-Limit2
- Takeoff Run2,400 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length29.5 m
- Wingspan17.3 m
- Height8.9 m
- Wing Area143.3
- Empty Weight25,200 kg
- Loaded Weight73,900 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight80,800 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints4
- Weapons Payload8,800 kg
- Internal Gunnone
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAN/APB-2
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production1MOD.1
- Total Built116
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1970
- Production Start1956
- Production End1964
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1956Entered service
- 1960Production started
- 1964Production ended
66
years in service
4
years in production
116
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
STRATEGIC BOMBERS RANKING Strategic Bombers · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
35STRATEGIC BOMBERS15EARLY COLD WAR · STRATEGIC BOMBERS909UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS1PRICE · STRATEGIC BOMBERS290PRICE · ALL WEAPONS137PERFORMANCE/PRICE · STRATEGIC BOMBERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theStrategic Bomberscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources