Even now, after 30 years in service, the SR-71 has looks and performance emingly borne in the 21st century.

The Blackbird upon entering the museum.

Developed by a team led by Kelly Johnson at Lockheed's Skunk Works, the SR-71 was designed as a strategic reconnaissance aircraft to succeed the U-2. Although detailed design work began in 1959, the US Government did not formally acknowledge the existence of the SR-71 until 1964. By this time the aircraft had been evaluated as a possible experimental all-weather interceptor in the Improved Manned Interceptor programme. The three aircraft that had been provisionally ordered for the USAF were designated YF-12A for the duration of the programme, and were later allocated to the joint NASA/USAF AST (Advanced Supersonic Technology) programme. Production of the the SR-71 began in 1963 and deliveries began to the 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in 1966.

Country of origin: USA
Type: strategic reconnaissance aircraft
Powerplant: two 14,742kg (32,500lb) Pratt & Whitney JT11D-20B bleed-turbojets
Performance: maximum speed at 24,385m (80,000ft) more than 3219km/h (2000mph); ceiling in excess of 24,385m (80,000ft); standard range 4800km (2983 miles)
Weights: empty 27,216kg (60,000lb); maximum take-off 77,111kg (170, 0001 b)
Dimensions: wingspan 16.94m (55ft 7in); length 32.74m 107ft 5in); height 5.64m (18ft 6in); wing area 167.22sq m (1800sq ft)

Specs and description from: Attack and Interceptor Jets by Michael Sharpe (Fiedman/Fairfax, 1999, ISBN: 1-58663-301-S), a handy book covering 300 aircraft.

UHC Displays