Brief History of the Lockheed SR-71

Brief History of the Lockheed SR-71

Lockheed SR-71 is a Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force. In 1960, a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance was developed and created by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. Clarence Johnson also known as Kelly Johnson, an acclaimed American aerospace engineer was the person responsible for the design’s innovative concepts. The SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes during the aerial reconnaissance missions to grant and to allow it to outrace threats. The basic and standard deceptive action was to accelerate and out fly the missile if a surface-to-air missile launch was identified. The Lockheed SR-71 was designed and constructed to have essential stealth characteristics and this serves as a forerunner to forthcoming stealth aircraft.

The Lockheed SR-71 was designed and constructed for a flight at over Mach 3 together with a flight crew of two in tandem cockpits, with the pilot present in the forward cockpit and the Reconnaissance Systems Officer assigned in operating the surveillance systems and equipment from the rear cockpit. The Lockheed SR-71 was assigned in controlling and directing exploration on the mission flight path.

The Lockheed SR-71 was also constructed to decrease or diminish its radar cross-section, with an early and initial attempt at stealth design. The finished aircraft were colored with dark blue, almost black, to boost and to raise the discharge of internal heat and to serves as mask across the night sky. The dark color led to the aircraft’s nickname “Blackbird”.

From 1964 to 1998, the Lockheed SR-71 served the U.S. Air Force. A total of 32 Lockheed SR-71 were built, 12 of the aircraft were lost due to the accident and none was lost due to enemy action. Blackbird and Habu were one of the several nicknames were given for Lockheed SR-71. The aircraft holds the world record to be the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft since the year 1976. This world record was previously awarded to Lockheed YF-12.

The SR-71 label is an extension of the pre-1962 bomber series. The last aircraft was built and constructed with the use of the series the XB-70 Valkyrie. But a bomber alternative of the Blackbird has shortly disposed the B-71 designator, which was maintained and saved when the type was changed to SR-71.

The Lockheed SR-71 was just previously used as a military aircraft. It does not cater and accepts commercial or private jet services.

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