The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" is a retired long-range, high-altitude, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed and manufactured by the American aerospace company Lockheed Corporation. The SR-71 has several nicknames, including "Blackbird" and "Habu". The SR-71 was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft during the 1960s by Lockheed's Skunk Works division. American aerospace engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the aircraft's innovative concepts. The shape of the SR-71 was based on that of the Lockheed A-12, which was one of the first aircrafts to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section in mind. Initially, a bomber variant of the A-12 was requested by Curtis LeMay, before the program was focused solely on reconnaissance. The SR-71 was longer and heavier than the A-12, allowing it to hold more fuel as well as a two-seat cockpit. The SR-71's existence was revealed to the public in July 1964; it entered service in the United States Air Force (USAF) in January 1966. In 1989, the USAF retired the SR-71, largely for political reasons; several were briefly reactivated during the 1990s before their second retirement in 1998. NASA was the final operator of the Blackbird, using it as a research platform; it was retired again in 1999. Mission equipment for the plane's aerial reconnaissance role included signals intelligence sensors, side looking airborne radar, and a camera. During missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes (Mach 3.2 and 85,000 ft; 26,000 m), allowing it to outrace or entirely avoid threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outpace the missile. On average, each SR-71 could fly once per week due to the extended turnaround required after mission recovery. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action. Since its retirement, the SR-71's role has been taken up by a combination of reconnaissance satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); a proposed UAV successor, the SR-72, is under development by Lockheed Martin, and scheduled to fly in 2025. As of 2024, the SR-71 still holds the world record, which it set in 1976, as the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, previously held by the closely related Lockheed YF-12.
Early in the Blackbird program, a mishap happened on SR-71 #964: damage was done to the engines when they were placed in the wrong inlet. Former crew chief Floyd Jones elaborates more on the story. Click on the picture to access the full article.
Many of today's active adults were not even alive, or they were very young at best, back when the absolute speed record for a crewed aircraft flying in Earth's atmosphere was set. Click on the picture to access the full article.
When the US Air Force retired the SR-71 Blackbird, it didn’t sail into the sunset in peace and tranquility. Instead, it went out with a bang. Or a sonic boom, to be exact. Click on the picture to access the full article.
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird set speed records, reaching Mach 3.4 and flying at over 80,000 feet. Click on the picture to access the full article.
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