In 1956 the first supersonic bomber wsa flown by Convair test pilots. The plane was capable of speeds greater then twice the speed of sound. the B-58 set a number of speed records such as Tokyo to London in 8 hours and 35 minutes. The plane wsa designed for high altitude bombing. Advances in Soviet ground to air missiles made the plane mission unviable and the last of the B-58 were retired in 1968.