SR-71 Blackbird - Supersonic Aircraft

[Astronuc]

For those interested in a remarkable aircraft - Lockheed's A-12, YF-12A, SR-71 Blackbird.

http://www.sr-71.org

http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/index.htm at sr-71.org

http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/sr-71~1.htm

http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/sr-71.htm

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/SR-71/ - NASA Dryden SR-71 Photo collection

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Movie/SR-71/ - NASA Dryden SR-71 Movie collection

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The J-58 Power Plant

http://aerostories.free.fr/technique/J58/J58_01/page9.html

http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/j-58~1.htm

http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/j-58/

 

[Q_Goest]

I remember this one when I lived in San Diego, right after the decision to chop them up. I drove past it every time when heading to the airport downtown. It sat inside a fenced in lot, choped right in half. Almost seemed criminal!

 

[Sled Head]

Another great link on the history of the Remarkable SR-71.
http://mach3ti.com

You can see first hand why they were so remarkable. The special Beta Titanium Alloy provided the ability to shed off the heat created by tremendous atmospheric frictional loads and still retain it's high strength.

Do you know the SR-71's top speed?

 

[turbo]

Old, old thread! Still, nice to see alive. Years ago, I beat out a newly-graduated CE for a job, and found out that his brother was a really close friend of mine in college. Their father was a senior engineer in the Blackbird program. Very nice guy, though he was as closed-lipped as could be, even years and years later.

 

[alphy]

I am fascinated by the SR-71 Blackbird and its predecessors, the A-12 and YF-12A. These supersonic aircraft represent a remarkable achievement in engineering and technology, pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible in terms of speed and altitude.

The SR-71 Blackbird is still considered one of the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever built, with a top speed of over Mach 3 and the ability to fly at altitudes of up to 85,000 feet. This was made possible by its advanced aerodynamic design, including its unique "chines" that helped reduce drag and improve stability at high speeds.

One of the most impressive aspects of the SR-71 is its J-58 engine, also known as the "turbo ramjet." This revolutionary engine allowed the Blackbird to sustain supersonic speeds for extended periods of time, by using a combination of turbojet and ramjet technologies. The J-58 was a true engineering marvel, capable of producing over 32,000 pounds of thrust and pushing the Blackbird to its maximum speed.

The SR-71 Blackbird also played an important role in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering during the Cold War and beyond. Its ability to fly at high speeds and altitudes, while evading radar detection, made it a valuable asset for gathering information on enemy territories.

I highly recommend visiting the SR-71.org website and exploring the extensive collection of information, photos, and videos on this incredible aircraft. It is a testament to human ingenuity and determination to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of aviation.