The SR-71
One of the most advanced Blackbirds, the SR-71 (along with the A-12 and YF-12), was designed by a team of Lockheed personnel under the direction of Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, who was vice president of Lockheed’s Advanced Development Company Projects at the time. Known as the “Skunk Works,” this unit is now called Lockheed Martin.
The Blackbirds were built to reach altitudes of up to 85,000 feet and cruise at Mach 3.2, which is little over three times the speed of sound or more than 2,200 miles per hour. The SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft held the record for being the fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft in the world for about 24 years. It could survey 100,000 square miles of the Earth’s surface per hour from 80,000 feet.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the aircraft has broken multiple speed and altitude records during its history due to its incredible flight characteristics.
Blackbird high performance takeoff
The following story is provided by an SR-71 Blackbird mechanic who wants to remain anonymous:
‘I won’t say who; I won’t say when, but I did see the SR go vertical ONCE, and that was at Kadena [Air Base]. The F-4 jocks used to tell us when they were going to do a high-performance takeoff during an FCF (Functional Check Flight) so we could watch a “real takeoff”!
‘Our DET Commander had chewed his lip long enough, and the stage was set. We finally had the kind of flight scheduled where the plan could be put into action.
‘All sensors were removed and replaced with ballast. That included the ballast nose. This didn’t lighten the aircraft, but removed sensitive equipment, gyros, and such. On the morning of the launch, the Fighter wing was notified. The SR did its thing getting ready to launch. Brakes released, burners on, and once it was up, it accelerated just above the runway. And then, IT HAPPENED. It went vertical in full afterburner. It was loud AND impressive! Needless to say, it shut the F-4 lads up for a while.
‘Written by somebody who knew.’
Check out Habubrats SR-71‘s Twitter profile, SR71Habubrats‘s Instagram profile, and Born into the Wilde Blue Yonder Habubrats‘s Facebook page for further Blackbird photos and stories.
Photo by Linda Sheffield Miller, Boeing and U.S. Navy