SR-71 BLACKBIRD

Last crawled date: 3 years, 7 months ago

The Lockheed SR-71 'Blackbird' is an advanced, long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft 1] which was in service with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by the Lockheed Skunk Works. Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson was responsible for many of the design's innovative concepts. During reconnaissance missions the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outrun the missile.2] Although twelve of the 32 original aircraft were destroyed in accidents, none were ever lost to enemy action.3]4] The SR-71 was unofficially named the Blackbird, and called the Habu by its crews, referring to an Okinawan species of pit viper.5] Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, a record previously held by the YF-12.6]7]8] #AIR #AIR_FORCE #AVIATION #BLACKBIRD #FAST_PLANE #FORCE #SR71 #SR71_BLACKBIRD #STATES #UNITED #UNITED_STATES #UNITED_STATES_AIR_FORCE #USAF #USAFAM