SR-71 Blackbird
The SR-71, unofficially named the ‘Blackbird’, was put into service in 1966 after being developed by Lockheed Skunk Works. SR-71s were high-speed (Mach 3), high-altitude, long-range, strategic reconnaissance aircraft with stealth capabilities. They could fly at an altitude of 100,000 feet and boasted a ‘no loss’ record in enemy action. Because of the high altitudes reached the pilots wore suits identical to those used by NASA astronauts on space missions.
FACTS & STATS:
| First Flown | 1964 |
| Range | 2,900 miles (4,669 km) |
| Length | 107 ft 5 in (32.74 m) |
| Engine | Two Pratt & Whittney J-58 with 34,000 lbs. of thrust |
| Wingspan | 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m) |
| Max Speed | Mach 3.2 (3.2 times the speed of sound) |
| Ceiling | 85,000 ft (25,908 m) |
| Weight |
Empty: 67,500 lbs (30,618 kgs) |
|
Number Built
|
32 |
| Armament |
None |
