[teruakohatu]

I had never considered that the Northrop YB-49 [1] might have ultimately worked if computer simulation had been available at the time.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_YB-49

[amethyst]

Another key requirement would have been computer-aided flight control systems. The only reason the B-2 can remain stable during maneuvers is thanks to its fly-by-wire system that translates the pilot's directions into control surface adjustments that achieve the desired results, and continually adjust those controls faster than the human pilot can react.

[blamazon]

The curious may find this wikipedia article a good jumping point down this rabbit hole:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relaxed_stability

[mc32]

My favorite is the Grumman X-29: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_X-29 (It worked and they built two, I think) but ultimately a dead-end.

[micah94]

Saw these fly over my high school back when I lived in Ohio (close to Wright Pat AFB)