The USAF's SR-71A two-seat strategic-reconnaissance aircraft originates from the remarkable Lockheed A-11, detail design of which began in 1959. Almost certainly intended to follow into service the Lockheed U-2, the A-11 derived from the design team led by C. L. 'Kelly' Johnson. Four A-11 were ordered, the first being flown on 26 April 1962.
Three were later modified into YF-12A interceptors, entering service for evaluation in 1964. They were capable of speeds in excess of Mach 3 and of sustained supersonic flight at heights of up to 24,385m. Consequently construction was largely of titanium to maintain structural integrity, for as a result of kinetic heating, localised skin temperatures of up to about 427°C could be reached. To retard as much as possible the effects of such heating, these aircraft were finished in a high-heat-emissive black paint, leading to the name Blackbird.
The fourth A-11 (ordered on the original contract) was subsequently redesignated YF-12C. From it was developed the SR-71A reconnaissance aircraft, the first of which flew on 22 December 1964. The readily recognisable configuration of this aircraft results from extensive wind-tunnel testing to evolve a minimum-drag fuselage providing maximum speed while keeping kinetic heating to the minimum; and to maintain the best possible handling characteristics at supersonic, take-off (about 370km/h) and landing (about 278km/h) speeds.
Power plant comprises two 144.6kN Pratt & Whitney turbojets. The 36,287kg of special fuel for these engines - which is contained within upper-fuselage and inner-wing tanks - acts as a heat sink for the entire aircraft, fuel temperature being raised to 320°C before being injected into the engines. Highly complex air intakes with computer-controlled fail-safe systems are essential to ensure that smooth airflow to the engines is maintained over the enormous forward speed range of 0-3,200km/h, at the upper limit of which the engines are virtually operating as turbo-ramjets. SR-71A began to enter USAF service in January 1966 and it is believed that as many as 31 may have been built. They have the capability to survey an area of 155,400km2 within an hour and in 1976 established a closed-circuit speed record of 3,367.221km/h; a world absolute speed record of 3,529.56km/h; and a sustained-altitude record of 25,929.031m.
Ken Collins, A-12 & SR-71 Pilo, e-mail, 07.12.2009 22:14
To Amit Kaushik and any other A-12 / SR-71 admirer: There is a lot of good SR-71 books available. One of the best for general info (Paul Crickmore's)and crew info is Rich Graham's "SR-71 Blackbird, Stories, Tales and Legends". I would be pleased to answer any of your questions. A-12(1962-1968), SR-71 (1968-1974).
Ran into a Vietnam pilot who lost his hearing over Hanoi. He was sent stateside to act as XO for a general running the Blackbird squadron. He told a story of how they limited re-entry points into U.S. airspace to avoid witnesses; in this case, the Olympic Peninsula in WA also offers early UFO sightings.
Anyway, he and the general flew up from CA to observe the "re-entry" of a BB. "I'll never forget what I saw", said Bob, "I could see a glowing nose, then just for a second or two, it seemed to split the air and a wave or aura radiated out."
Sounds like a bit more than 85k feet to me! Anyone else hear the rumors about the touch & go in Russia in the 70's?
You can read _en.wikipedia.org /wiki /Low_Earth_orbit, low earth orbit(LEO) requires at least 160 Km (100 Miles or 528,000 feet) and max 2,000 Km (1,240 Miles or 6,547,200 feet). SR 71 cannot reach low earth orbit. I know, of course, there are classified capability, but please, remember that SR 71 was a project of the year 1958. At _img214.imageshack.us /img214 /2056 /maxaltitudeandspeed.jpg, you can see SR 71 cockpit on fly: the performance ceiling is higher than wrote in the specification tab and it can be better (also speed), BUT it cannot reach 528,000 feet of altitude. I'm sure SR-71 is COMPLETELY decommissioned, because a new black project is done in 1989. Rumors called it "aurora file or aurora project" but his name seems to be SR 75 penetrator. Please see my screenshot(_www.uploadline.com /?&fn=766356396381&st=OK&op=upload_result), and Chris Gibson report at _www.abovetopsecret.com /forum /thread60770 /pg1. Sr 75 has a fantastic propulsion system called "pulse detonating engine" (see the strange chemical contrails in my screenshot) that push it up MACH 5 (hypersonic speed). Ed Fouche says it's the first TAV (trans-atmospheric vehicle. Search Ed Fouche info to proof it. All screenshot belong to discovery channel movie (you can see discovery channel logo) and are NOT classified.
The Sr-71 was decommissioned, but not completely. It has been touted even by our own Government that much of the Blackbirds capability will remain classified. Knowing someone who worked on, and with the Sr-71. Shane is not far off by asking about re-entry. The Blackbird has several different noses. Some which have not been declassified. One might just be for re-entry capabilities. My understanding is that; it can if needed reach a low orbit, and re-enter. The fuel is mixed with oxygen and at the right mixture /pressure for such a possibility. (Food for thought)
Speed and temperature are too different. Space Shuttle on re entry, drop in the atmosphere at 16,000 mph (more or less MACH 23 at the beginning)from 28,000 mph which was the orbital speed and with the max temperature of 3000 degrees F.(1600 degrees Celsius). Shuttle was developed to resist at 7823 m /s (Atmospheric Re-Entry speed), Apollo capsule at 11000 m /s (36,090 ft /sec).Titanium alloy (which SR 71 is made)cannot resist without deformation and disruption. SR 71 was developed just to take pictures, not for Atmospheric Re-Entry
I grew up watching the Blackbird flying over Palmdale CA.USA LOCKEED MARTIN SKUNK WORKS. such an awsome plane to watch. My only Question is Do you think it could keep up with the Space Shuttle on Re enty? A reply would be very nice TY Shane
Clarence Leonard "Kelly" Johnson simply was a genius. No way MIG 25 to catch SR 71. Re high radiation: SR 71 pilot's used EVA (ExtraVehicular Activity) crew shuttle suit modified. 150,000 USD each one ! @ shane : you can read answer at _www.aerospaceweb.org /question /propulsion /q0195.shtml or _www.trainorders.com /discussion /read.php?2,1944906 and _www.trainorders.com /discussion /read.php?1,1944907
While stationed in Okinawa in the mid 60's my co-workers would marvel as these magnificent birds would take off from Kadena AFB, after what seemed like a few feet off the ground they would point the nose almost straight up and climb out of sight in a matter of seconds into a clear blue sky, it would make your heart skip a beat watching them.
When it comes to airshow spectacles I've seen,I recall a Fiesler storch,a Harrier,Concorde and Bob Hoover in the yellow Mustang. Most of all, an overhead pass by an SR71 set my knees to shaking. I'd like one but the gas mileage is poor and it won't fit in my garage. Difficulty in interception was a combination of speed, altitude and stealth, with leading edge RAM, Iron-ball ferrite paint and aerodynamic shape, by the time you've said it's coming, it's gone.
to jeelocked the SR-71 would fly somewhere it was not to fly and the russain would set up mig -25 to get the blackbird they would set each mig apart and when the SR-71 past the mig the mig would go to full power and then launch his missles and that was how the russian would try to get a blackbird but they never did.
If you ever want to see the last B model left it is in the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum and it is so beautiful and I had just been able to sit under it today.
Some years ago we were visited by a Blackbird which had to do an engine replacement after fire. I think all the involved personell at Sola AFB (Stavanger, Norway) + all the spectators still remember the fantastic take-off and "fly-past" the day it left us. To repair this complexed aircraft in a remote area was a good demo to show what the USAAF was capable to.
"HABU" - never before & never again will anything fly like the Blackbird. It gave me the chills & proud to be an American everytime I saw this great bird. Pete (labels)
I have always had a real interest in this plane and cannot seem to get enough to read on th is magnificent piece of work by Kelly Johnson and his crew. It is simply a beautiful piece of work.
The engines were a bear to work on, had to be especially careful with the chemical ignition system, never believe the purge tag on it, use the longest wrenches and open the b nuts slowly if smoke appeared back off..
