Originally Posted by
munnst
Did the mid-air kill the project or was it political like the TSR2?
One of the problems was the fuel (also designed for the F-108) - a mix of JP-6 and something called ZIP for the afterburner - it all required special prep, special handling etc . The ZIP programme was canceled (as was the F108) just before first flight of the Valkyrie.
The Eisenhower administration had already decided the aircraft wasn't necessary as all the tasks could be done by satellites, rockets and other aircraft. It was very very very expensive and couldn't fly effectively at low levels. It was kept on as a technology demonstrator and also as a bargaining chip in arms negotiations.