Saturday, September 30, 2006

Science and Technology, SR-71 Blackbird

The SR-71, unofficially known as the "Blackbird," is a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft.

The first flight of an SR-71 took place on December 22, 1964, and the first SR-71 to enter service was delivered to the 4200th (later, 9th) Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., in January 1966.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Haggerty) This Web site is provided as a public service by the 95th Air Base Wing (Public Affairs).

Information presented on this Web site is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested. Highr Resolution Image
The Air Force retired its fleet of SR-71s on Jan. 26, 1990, because of a decreasing defense budget and high costs of operation. The Air Force returned the SR-71 to the active Air Force inventory in 1995 and began flying operational missions in January 1997.

The aircraft were permanently retired a few years later. Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the world's fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft. From 80,000 feet it could survey 100,000 square miles of Earth's surface per hour. On July 28, 1976, an SR-71 set two world records for its class: an absolute speed record of 2,193.167 miles per hour and an absolute altitude record of 85,068.997 feet.
SR-71 Blackbird, Edwards Air Force Base web siteThe Lockheed SR-71 remains one of the most exotic and mysterious aircraft of all time. Its mighty J58 engines, with a thrust equivalent to 45 diesel locomotives,
enable it to cruise for prolonged periods above Mach 3 and at altitudes in excess of 80,000 feet. Here one of the Blackbirds banks gently in its home skies over California's Mojave Desert. Note the Lockheed "Skunk Works" logo on its vertical stabilizer.

Information presented on Air Force Link is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested. Bell X-1, Edwards Air Force Base web site (EAFBWS).
AF.mil is provided as a public service by the Office of the Secretary of Air Force (Public Affairs).

Information presented on Air Force Link is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested.

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SR-71 Blackbird


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