The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twin-engined tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1953. The B-57 is a license-built version of the British English Electric Canberra, manufactured by the Glenn L. Martin Company. Initial Martin-built models were virtually identical to their British-built twinjet counterparts; Martin later modified the design to incorporate larger quantities of US-sourced components and produced the aircraft in several variants.
Martin B-57 Canberra
The British-built Canberra B.2 that was used as a pattern and prototype for the B-57
B-57B Canberras of the 345th Bombardment Wing in flight, 1957
EB-57A parked at Scott AFB, 1969
A reconnaissance aircraft is a military aircraft designed or adapted to perform aerial reconnaissance with roles including collection of imagery intelligence, signals intelligence, as well as measurement and signature intelligence. Modern technology has also enabled some aircraft and UAVs to carry out real-time surveillance in addition to general intelligence gathering.
A USAF SR-71 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft
USAF's RC-135U Combat Sent reconnaissance (ELINT) aircraft
ScanEagle reconnaissance UAV on its catapult launcher
