North American AJ-1 Savage

The North American AJ‑1 Savage was the United States Navy’s first carrier‑based bomber capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. Developed by North American Aviation in the late 1940s, the aircraft entered service in 1950 as a stop‑gap solution until the jet‑powered B‑47 and B‑52 became operational. Based on the piston‑engine design of the NA‑73 (later the A‑3 Skywarrior), the AJ‑1 featured a unique powerplant arrangement: two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 radial engines supplied the main thrust, while a General Electric J47 turbo‑jet in the rear fuselage provided additional speed for take‑off and combat maneuvers. Its high‑wing, all‑metal construction accommodated a crew of three and a 2,000‑pound conventional bomb load or a single nuclear bomb inside an internal bomb bay. The Savage could also be equipped with rockets and defensive armament. Though limited by its mixed‑propulsion system and relatively short range, the AJ‑1 demonstrated the feasibility of carrier‑based strategic bombing and paved the way for fully jet‑powered naval bombers. It served with several fleet squadrons until 1955, leaving a lasting legacy in the evolution of US Navy strike aviation. Its distinctive silhouette and dual‑engine layout made it an early Cold War icon, and a few survive in museums.

North American Aviation

North American AJ-1 Savage

Classification

Design & Classification