North American AJ-2 Savage

The North American AJ‑2 Savage was the United States Navy’s first jet‑powered bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons from carrier decks. Developed by North American Aviation in the late 1940s, the aircraft entered service in 1950 as the AJ‑1 and later the AJ‑2, which incorporated a more powerful Allison J35 turbojet alongside its original Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine. This unusual “dual‑propulsion” layout gave the Savage a reliable range of about 1,800 miles, essential for the long trans‑Pacific missions envisioned during the early Cold War. Its straight‑wing, all‑metal airframe accommodated a crew of three, a 5,000‑pound bomb bay, and radar navigation equipment that allowed all‑weather attacks. Although its speed and handling were modest compared with later jet bombers, the Savage demonstrated the feasibility of carrier‑based strategic strike and paved the way for the nuclear‑capable A‑3 Skywarrior and the supersonic B‑52 program. The aircraft’s service life ended in 1957, but its operational experience informed naval aviation tactics and underscored the strategic importance of airborne deterrence, marking a pivotal transition from propeller‑driven to fully jet‑powered carrier bombers. Its distinctive silhouette with a tall dorsal fin and twin tails remains a favorite subject for historians.

North American Aviation

North American AJ-2 Savage

Classification

Design & Classification