Holy freakin machine: Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

nadhir (47)in #technology • 7 years ago (edited)

NASA just released footages of the Blackbird. The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" is a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force.

It is the fastest in service manned aircraft, capable to reach 2,200mph! Dude! that is over 3 times the speed of sound! With that speed, it can outfly any missile fired toward him. It is so fast, that, its titanium outer skin will be so hot at its top speed, 900 degrees fahrenheit.

And it is so rare, only 32 available in this world and it is so secretive (it is a reconnaissance aircraft anyway).

It can fly to a very high altitude, reaching to 85,000 feets high. So high, even the pilot need to put on pressure suit and an astronaut helmet.

Sound so futuristic is it? But, this SR-71 actually developed in the 60s and it is already retired. SR-71 service period started in year 1964 and ended in 1998. The new breed, the SR-72 is coming though. They said, the SR-72 is currently in development and the speed will be Mach 6. Crazy.

SR-71 In-flight from tanker (photo by NASA)

SR-71 ship #1 on the ramp (photo by NASA)

Three SR-71 aircraft were used at different times during the 1990s by NASA as test beds for high-speed and high-altitude aeronautical research (photo by NASA)