The Northrop Model 1 Mockup Flying Wing was Northrop's natural progression towards an aerodynamically clean design in which the drag caused by protruding engine nacelles, fuselage and vertical and horizontal tail surfaces is eliminated. However, the N-1M was plagued by poor performance as it was both overweight and underpowered. Nevertheless, Northrop convinced the AF that the N-1 M was successful enough to serve as the forerunner of more advanced flying wings and led ultimately to the B-2 bomber.