Lockheed SR-71 'Blackbird'

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Aero Favourite 13

Lockheed SR-71
'Blackbird'

The futuristic looking Lockheed SR-71, unofficially named 'Blackbird', was a long-range Mach 3 reconnaissance aircraft. Lockheed developed the aircraft from the earlier YF-12A and A-12. The aircraft was intended for reconnaissance flights at very high speed and high altitude to avoid the chance of being intercepted by enemy fighters or missiles. The first flight of the SR-71 was on 22 December 1964. A total of 32 aircraft was built. They were withdrawn from service in 1998.
Lockheed SR-71

The Lockheed SR-71 is not any more in service with the USAF. Some of the aircraft are now in museums, like this one in the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona.



 Lockheed Blackbird

The Lockheed SR-71 'Blackbird' is a magnificent aircraft. Although it looks futuristic, it was conceived in the 1960s and is no longer in service with the USAF. Satellites provide a
less risky way of obtaining images nowadays than the SR-71 can do.
(Photo: Lockheed Martin)