10 SR-71 Blackbird facts that will amaze even the most avid aviation enthusiast

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is one of the most famous and aesthetically pleasing reconnaissance aircraft flown by the US Air Force. A technological marvel, it showed the world what the United States was capable of during the Cold War, instilling fear and wonder among the nation’s enemies. Aircraft were an essential tool during the conflict and the information they were able to gather on flights was vital to intelligence activities.

These are some fascinating but little-known SR-71 facts.

Obtaining titanium from the Soviet Union

Although manufactured in the United States, the SR-71 Blackbird was built using titanium purchased from the Soviet Union. You may be asking yourself how Lockheed could do this during the Cold War. The explanation was clear: the business did not do business directly with the Soviet Union.

Colonel Rich Graham, a former SR-71 pilot and wing commander, explained in an interview with the BBC that other means were used to obtain the necessary minerals. “Working through third world countries and through bogus operations, they were able to ship rutile ore to the United States to manufacture SR-71,” he said.

It wasn’t initially called the SR-71 Blackbird

Although eventually designated the “SR-71 Blackbird”, the reconnaissance aircraft was initially known by a different name. Initially designated the “RS-71”, US Air Force Chief of Staff General Curtis LeMay commissioned President Lyndon B. Johnson was informed that he should reverse the initials to represent “Strategic Reconnaissance”.

Upon receiving a copy with the designation “RS-71”, word quickly spread to the media that Johnson had made a mistake during his address. This was untrue, as the name had been changed prior to its media appearance.

Using an Astro-Inertial Navigation System

The SR-71 Blackbird’s astro-inertial navigation system (R2-D2) contributed to its performance as a reconnaissance aircraft. It was mounted behind the cockpit and used star positions in the sky to solve any navigation problems that arose during flight. This technique is said to be accurate up to 300 feet, which isn’t too bad.

Outflying incoming missiles

Since this was the Cold War, tensions were high, so the SR-71 Blackbird had to take out any hostile missiles aimed at it. Then they started avoiding as usual. If its sensors detect its launch, the aircraft will accelerate to the point where the surface-to-air missile (SAM) is fired.

How many Cold War era planes are there that can travel faster than a missile? Very remarkable!

How many missiles did the SR-71 Blackbird outfly?

In relation to missiles, how many flights did the SR-71 fly during its lifetime? According to the report, the number is closer to 4,000, which is remarkable considering that they have been in the US Air Force for just over 20 years. During the Vietnam War, 800 rounds were flown from the aircraft.

A less than stellar test flight…

Test pilots play a vital role in the development of new military aircraft as they literally risk their lives to ensure the aircraft is safe and effective. Test flights can be remembered for a variety of reasons, but none more so than Bill Weaver’s flight in the SR-71 Blackbird.

Speaking to Chuck Yeager’s unofficial fan site, Weaver described the trip in January 1966. After taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in California, he and Lockheed expert Jim Zweier successfully completed the first leg of their flight before the second leg ended tragically. .

While the aircraft was operating at Mach 3.18 at 78,800 feet the automatic control system in the right engine intake of the SR-71 malfunctioned and shortly thereafter, flight control clearance was exceeded. Before being completely unconscious by the G-force, Weaver’s last memory was of Zweire and the plane breaking up around him. After a while, he was able to awaken and escape, reaching New Mexico.

Weaver’s unique flying suit played a major role in his survival. However, Zwer died from a fractured neck sustained during the SR-71’s breakup.

Speaking of special flight suits…

The SR-71 Blackbird flew so high and fast that normal flight suits were insufficient protection for the people sitting in the cockpit. To guarantee that they could fly the aircraft safely, specialized equipment was developed.

Originally designed as a pressurized suit for Lockheed A-12 pilots, the S1030 was developed. It was built with a main suit, a two-piece fiberglass helmet, torso harness and gloves, and weighed 35 pounds at an astonishing $30,000, but that didn’t make it special. It also features breathing and pressure control systems as well as multi-layer thermal protection.

How hot can the SR-71 Blackbird’s windshield get?!

With a top speed of Mach 3.3 and an altitude of 85,000 feet, the SR-71 Blackbird’s structure endured tremendous heat. Not only did 85 percent of the plane’s exterior consist of titanium, but the windshield itself required unique construction. Quartz was used to form the outer layer of the screen, which was ultrasonically bonded to the frame.

Because of all this, the windshield was able to withstand temperatures as high as 600°F.

Just 32 SR-71 Blackbirds were built

The SR-71 Blackbird is so well known that it is reasonable to estimate that hundreds of them were produced during its operational lifespan. This is untrue, as only 32 rolled off the assembly line.

Eleven of them were lost. Most of these losses occurred between 1966 and 1972, and none were due to hostile action.

Continuing to set records after retirement

Just because the SR-71 Blackbird has been retired doesn’t mean it stopped being a revolutionary aircraft. In fact, it’s notable for setting a multitude of records AFTER being removed from active service with the US Air Force.

In 1990, while en route to the Smithsonian Institution, an SR-71 set the following four speed records:

Los Angeles, California, to Washington, DC – 64 minutes, 20 seconds; traveling at an average speed of 2,144.8 MPH.
American West Coast to East Coast – 67 minutes, 54 seconds; traveling at an average speed of 2,124.5 MPH.
Kansas City, Missouri, to Washington, DC – 25 minutes, 59 seconds; traveling at an average speed of 2,176 MPH.
St. Louis, Missouri, to Cincinnati, Ohio – 8 minutes, 32 seconds; traveling at an average speed of 2,189.9 MPH.

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