The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" is a long-range, high-altitude, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed and manufactured by the American aerospace company Lockheed Corporation. It was operated by both the United States Air Force (USAF) and NASA. Just do a sr71a blackbird speed check! The SR-71 was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft during the 1960s by Lockheed's Skunk Works division. American aerospace engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the aircraft's innovative concepts. The shape of the SR-71 was based on that of the A-12, which was one of the first aircraft to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section. At one point, a bomber variant of the aircraft was under consideration, before the program was focused solely on reconnaissance. Mission equipment for the reconnaissance role included signals intelligence sensors, a side-looking airborne radar, and a photo camera; the SR-71 was both longer and heavier than the A-12, allowing it to hold more fuel as well as a two-seat cockpit. The SR-71 designation has been attributed to lobbying efforts by USAF Chief of Staff General Curtis LeMay, who preferred the SR (Strategic Reconnaissance) designation over simply RS (Reconnaissance, Strategic). The aircraft was introduced to operational service in January 1966. During aerial reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes (Mach 3.2 and 85,000 feet, 25,900 meters) to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile. On average, each SR-71 could fly once per week due to the extended turnaround required after mission recovery. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action. During 1988, the USAF retired the SR-71 largely for political reasons; several were briefly reactivated during the 1990s before their second retirement in 1998. NASA was the final operator of the type, retiring their examples in 1999. Since its retirement, the SR-71's role has been taken up by a combination of reconnaissance satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); a proposed UAV successor, the SR-72 is under development by Lockheed Martin, and scheduled to fly in 2025. The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including "Blackbird" and "Habu". As of 2021 the SR-71 continues to hold the official world record it set in 1976 for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, previously held by the related Lockheed YF-12. The SR-71 was the world's fastest and highest-flying air-breathing operational manned aircraft throughout its career. General characteristics: Crew: 2; Pilot and reconnaissance systems officer (RSO) Length: 107 ft 5 in (32.74 m) Wingspan: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m) Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) Wheel track: 16 ft 8 in (5 m) Wheelbase: 37 ft 10 in (12 m) Wing area: 1,800 sq ft (170 m2) Aspect ratio: 1.7 Empty weight: 67,500 lb (30,617 kg) Gross weight: 152,000 lb (68,946 kg) Max takeoff weight: 172,000 lb (78,018 kg) Fuel capacity: 12,219.2 US gal (10,174.6 imp gal; 46,255 l) in 6 tank groups (9 tanks) Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58 (JT11D-20J or JT11D-20K) afterburning turbojets, 25,000 lbf (110 kN) thrust each JT11D-20J 32,500 lbf (144.57 kN) wet (fixed inlet guidevanes) JT11D-20K 34,000 lbf (151.24 kN) wet (2-position inlet guidevanes) Performance Maximum speed: 1,910 kn (2,200 mph, 3,540 km/h) at 80,000 ft (24,000 m) Maximum speed: Mach 3.32[N 5] Ferry range: 2,824 nmi (3,250 mi, 5,230 km) Service ceiling: 85,000 ft (26,000 m) Rate of climb: 11,820 ft/min (60.0 m/s) Wing loading: 84 lb/sq ft (410 kg/m2) Thrust/weight: 0.44 Avionics 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) of mission equipment Itek KA-102A 36–48 in (910–1,220 mm) camera SIGINT and ELINT equipment in the following compartments A - nose radar D - right chine bay E - electronics bay K - left forward mission bay L - right forward mission bay M - left forward mission bay N - right forward mission bay P - left aft mission bay Q - right aft mission bay R - radio equipment bay S - left aft mission bay T - right aft mission bay More Aviation Icons @ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB... 0:00 Introduction 1:47 January 25, 1966 5:14 Winter, 1957 9:45 Spring, 1958 12:59 March, 1959 24:05 December 22, 1964 33:55 March 21, 1968 36:18 August 26, 1981 42:55 March 6, 1990 #blackbird #aircraft #SR71
Iconic airplanes such as the Blackbird SR-71 and the A-10 Warthog, or the Concorde supersonic airplane,, but also amazing stories of pilots and heroes in their own words! Listen to the amazing stories of heroes such as Bud Anderson, or learn more about famous missions such as the: Doolittle Raid, or the Flying Tigers, or the mission of the Enola Gay. Missions that change the world as we know it.
Military aircraft have played a significant role in shaping the course of history, from reconnaissance and air superiority to strategic bombing and ground support. Many iconic military aircraft have emerged over the years, each with its unique capabilities and impact on warfare. In this piece, we will explore some of the most notable American, Russian, British, and German military aircraft. American Aircraft The United States has been at the forefront of aviation technology since the early 1900s, and it has produced some of the most iconic military aircraft in history. Here are some of the notable American military aircraft: P-51 Mustang: The P-51 Mustang is one of the most iconic American fighter planes of World War II. It was widely used by the Allied forces for long-range bomber escort missions, thanks to its excellent range and high altitude capabilities. F-16 Fighting Falcon: The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a versatile, multirole fighter aircraft that has been in service with the U.S. Air Force since the 1970s. It is known for its agility, speed, and advanced avionics. B-52 Stratofortress: The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, strategic bomber that has been in service with the U.S. Air Force since the 1950s. It is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and has played a critical role in many conflicts, including the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan. F-35 Lightning II: The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that has been in development since the early 2000s. It is designed to be a stealthy, multirole fighter that can operate in any environment. Russian Aircraft The Soviet Union was a major player in the aviation industry during the Cold War, and it produced some of the most advanced military aircraft of the time. Here are some of the notable Russian military aircraft: MiG-29 Fulcrum: The MiG-29 Fulcrum is a twin-engine, supersonic fighter aircraft that has been in service with the Russian Air Force since the 1980s. It is known for its maneuverability and advanced avionics. Su-27 Flanker: The Su-27 Flanker is a heavy, long-range fighter aircraft that has been in service with the Russian Air Force since the 1980s. It is known for its speed, range, and agility. Tu-95 Bear: The Tu-95 Bear is a long-range, strategic bomber that has been in service with the Russian Air Force since the 1950s. It is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and has played a critical role in many conflicts, including the Cold War. Ka-52 Alligator: The Ka-52 Alligator is a twin-seat, all-weather attack helicopter that has been in service with the Russian Army since the early 2000s. It is designed to operate in any environment and is known for its advanced avionics and weapons systems. British Aircraft The United Kingdom has a long history of aviation, and it has produced some of the most iconic military aircraft in history. Here are some of the notable British military aircraft: Spitfire: The Spitfire is one of the most iconic British fighter planes of World War II. It was widely used by the Royal Air Force for air defense missions, thanks to its speed, agility, and excellent handling. Harrier: The Harrier is a vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) fighter aircraft that has been in service with the British Armed Forces since the 1960s. It is known for its unique ability to take off and land in confined spaces and on unprepared surfaces.
Aviation icons, pilots, heroes, engineers, men, women, and companies. Aircraft documentaries. It features the history of airplanes such as the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog", Lockheed Skunk Works U-2 Dragonlady Spy Plane, SR-71 / Y-12 Blackbird, YF-23, P-51 Mustang, B-52 Stratofortress, but also Kelly Johnson, Sir Frank Whittle, Hoot Gibson, Gabby Gabreski, Eric "Winkle" Brown, and many others.