Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Facts
by BroNamath · 10 hours ago
The SR-71 couldn't be shot down.
Over the course of the plane's service, more than 1,000 missiles were fired at it in an attempt to take it down. The Blackbird was the only aircraft who's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for an evasive maneuver was to speed up and outrun the missile.
To even be allowed to work on the aircraft you had to be married.
Among other requirements you needed to be between the ages of 25 and 40 and tested for "mental stability".
The flight suit was as complex as the aircraft
An entirely new flight suit was designed for the aircraft. The suit was pressurized via its own oxygen system, because otherwise at over 80,000 feet the pilots would have suffocated.
First Flight
The first official flight of the SR-71 Blackbird was on December 22nd, 1964 at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA
The Cockpit
Because computerized equipment was non-existent during the design and construction of the Blackbird (late 50's to early 60's) the cockpit was entirely analog on the $34 million aircraft
It needed to be refueled immediately after takeoff
Because the skin of the aircraft became so hot and expanded, the plane's panels were designed to fit loosely when cold. This meant that when full of fuel on takeoff it would leak out of the panels. After the jet warmed up it would then be topped back off by a tanker.
Special Jet Fuel
JP7 Jet Fuel was co-developed by the CIA, Air Force and Shell specifically for the SR71. This fuel is still used today only for the most advanced aircraft on Earth.
Accidents
12 SR-71's were lost and one pilot died during the aircraft's service career. 11 of the 12 accidents happened between 1966 and 1972.
The SR-71 produces about as much power as an ocean liner.
Each one of the Blackbird's twin Pratt & Whitney J58 jet engines are capable of 34,000 pounds of thrust.
Transcontinental Speed Record
In 1990 the SR71 flew coast to coast in 67 minutes and 47 seconds cutting the previous record in half. During that same flight, it managed to go from St. Louis to Cincinnati in 8 minutes flat.
The first SR-71's were tested at Area 51
The aircraft were built by Lockheed Martin in Burbank, CA and then trucked over to the well known conspiracy HQ in Nevada.
17 years after retirement it remains the fastest manned jet-powered aircraft in history
2,193.13 mph is the official record, set in July of 1976 to celebrate America’s bicentennial. This image is that plane landing after achieving the speed record.
by BroNamath · 10 hours ago
The SR-71 couldn't be shot down.
Over the course of the plane's service, more than 1,000 missiles were fired at it in an attempt to take it down. The Blackbird was the only aircraft who's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for an evasive maneuver was to speed up and outrun the missile.
To even be allowed to work on the aircraft you had to be married.
Among other requirements you needed to be between the ages of 25 and 40 and tested for "mental stability".
The flight suit was as complex as the aircraft
An entirely new flight suit was designed for the aircraft. The suit was pressurized via its own oxygen system, because otherwise at over 80,000 feet the pilots would have suffocated.
First Flight
The first official flight of the SR-71 Blackbird was on December 22nd, 1964 at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA
The Cockpit
Because computerized equipment was non-existent during the design and construction of the Blackbird (late 50's to early 60's) the cockpit was entirely analog on the $34 million aircraft
It needed to be refueled immediately after takeoff
Because the skin of the aircraft became so hot and expanded, the plane's panels were designed to fit loosely when cold. This meant that when full of fuel on takeoff it would leak out of the panels. After the jet warmed up it would then be topped back off by a tanker.
Special Jet Fuel
JP7 Jet Fuel was co-developed by the CIA, Air Force and Shell specifically for the SR71. This fuel is still used today only for the most advanced aircraft on Earth.
Accidents
12 SR-71's were lost and one pilot died during the aircraft's service career. 11 of the 12 accidents happened between 1966 and 1972.
The SR-71 produces about as much power as an ocean liner.
Each one of the Blackbird's twin Pratt & Whitney J58 jet engines are capable of 34,000 pounds of thrust.
Transcontinental Speed Record
In 1990 the SR71 flew coast to coast in 67 minutes and 47 seconds cutting the previous record in half. During that same flight, it managed to go from St. Louis to Cincinnati in 8 minutes flat.
The first SR-71's were tested at Area 51
The aircraft were built by Lockheed Martin in Burbank, CA and then trucked over to the well known conspiracy HQ in Nevada.
17 years after retirement it remains the fastest manned jet-powered aircraft in history
2,193.13 mph is the official record, set in July of 1976 to celebrate America’s bicentennial. This image is that plane landing after achieving the speed record.
