<hi style=afpcap>The flying wing design commenced in 1941 as part of a programme initiated by Northrop to evaluate the concept. The Army issued a contract for a single prototype XB35 following a number of scale models and a mockup. A second prototype and 13 YB-35s were ordered in 1942, although a contract for 200 more was cancelled. A pair of YB-35s were converted to YB-49 standard with eight Allison J35 engines in place of the four of the B-35. A 1948 order for 30 YB-49 reconnaissance aircraft was cancelled. Nine YB-35s were earmarked for conversion to jet powerplants, although only one was completed, this being designated YRB-49A. This flew from May 1950 onwards. </hi>
