Page 3 - Sr 71 News Today

The mystery surrounding the SR-72 Darkstar may begin to unravel by 2025, according to some experts. Or, the Mach 10 plane might just have to remain in the movies. 

You may not have heard the story of the SR-71 “I”, the sister variant of the Blackbird designed to take out Soviet defenses during the Cold War with missiles and radar systems.

Swedish pilots flying the Saab J37 escorted an American Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" safely back to Germany after the speedy spy pilot developed engine trouble.

Legends of a faster, higher-flying replacement for the SR-71, commonly called the SR-72, first began to emerge back in the 1980s.

Aviation buffs and industry experts estimate that the SR-71 Blackbird out-flew more than 4,000 missiles during its several decades in service.

The SR-71 achieved a record top speed of 2,193 mph – while other aircraft could reach such extreme speeds in theory – but would melt due to the atmospheric friction and heat – the Blackbird could maintain it for extended periods.

The SR-71 earned its reputation for incomparable speed. While no aircraft could catch it, neither could missiles.

In all, the SR-71 cost about $200,000 per hour to operate – the fuel alone cost $18,000 per hour). Per year, the SR-71 cost between $200 and $300 million.

The famous design division says "skunking" helps it avoid many traditional pitfalls in the development process and build flying examples faster.

It is hard not to be impressed when seeing the Lockheed SR-71 up close, even if it is difficult for many to fully appreciate the significance of the aircraft. Today, it is possible to see several retired "Blackbirds" – its unofficial moniker – in various museums around the country.