Zip fuels appeared to offer just enough of a performance improvement to produce a supersonic strategic bomber.

The first competition for a supersonic strategic heavy bomber was launched in the Soviet Union in 1967.

The Tu-98 emerged from a program for a fast supersonic bomber to replace the Tupolev Tu-16.

Since then, the supersonic bomber has had a history of design problems, cost overruns and fatal crashes.

Russia has officially confirmed the loss of three Su-25 strike aircraft and one Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber.

"Conventional low-level supersonic bombers and high-altitude interceptors being loaded in Siberia."

The original B-1 was to have been a supersonic, high-altitude nuclear bomber.

The Tu-22 was a supersonic bomber, far more capable than the antiquated Badger.

Hence the J-20 is not a fighter, but rather a light supersonic bomber.

As America's first supersonic bomber, it could range higher and faster than any other bomber aircraft in the world, flying at twice the speed of sound.