Convair XB-53

The Convair XB-53 was a proposed jet-powered medium bomber that Convair designed for the United States Army Air Forces, notable for a tailless layout with forward-swept wings. It began in 1945 as the XA-44 attack aircraft, and when the requirement became a light bomber in 1946 it was redesignated XB-53 with a 30 degree forward-swept wing borrowed from German wartime research and a glazed nose. Three Allison J35 turbojets were to power it, and it would have carried 12,000 pounds of bombs. It was developed alongside the XB-46, and the Air Force considered cancelling that aircraft in its favour. The programme was cancelled before either of two prototypes was completed.