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 The X-15A-2 with drop tanks and ablative coating is shown parked on the NASA ramp in front of the North American Aviation XB-70. These aircraft represent two different approaches to flight research.

 The X-15 was a research airplane in the purest sense, whereas the XB-70 was an experimental bomber intended for production but diverted to research when production was cancelled by changes in the Department of Defense's offensive doctrine.