The SR-71

[Boris spatsky]

I went for a run through the big park in San Diego a few months ago and came across an SR-71! It's preserved on poles in the park. It was one of the prototypes and only flew something like 270 hours. Amazing to stand under it.

 

[markis10]

I went for a run through the big park in San Diego a few months ago and came across an SR-71! It's preserved on poles in the park. It was one of the prototypes and only flew something like 270 hours. Amazing to stand under it.

Thats one of the operational birds, the prototype is at Blackbird airpark.

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-...s-and-monographs/a-12/inventory-of-a-12s.html

 

[Boris spatsky]

There you go. 406 hours, so i assumed it was a test bird! Low hours on all of them.

 

[markis10]

There you go. 406 hours, so i assumed it was a test bird! Low hours on all of them.

Those are the A12s, which was the CIA variant and got cancelled in preference to the SR71, a few differences:

A-12 /SR-71A
Maximum Speed Mach 3.35 at 85,000' (Estimated)/Mach 3.2 at 85,000' (Estimated)
Maximum Operational Ceiling 95,000'/85,000'
Maximum Unrefueled Range 2,500 miles/3,250 miles
Wing Span 55.6 ft. 55.6 ft.
Wing Area 1,795 sq. ft. 1,795 sq. ft.
Length 98.75 ft./103.8 ft.
Empty Weight 60,000 lbs / 67,500lbs.
Gross Takeoff Weight 120,000 lbs./ 152,000 lbs.
Sensor Payload 2,500 lbs/ 3,500 lbs.


Of the SR71s, 976 did the most flying, 2981 hours.

 

[serfty]

Thats one of the operational birds, the prototype is at Blackbird airpark.

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-...s-and-monographs/a-12/inventory-of-a-12s.html

Interesting article on that site.

So the A12 "Archangel" came first and was developed for the CIA; the SR71 was a variant of the A12 later developed for the USAF.

Archangel: CIA's Supersonic A-12 Reconnaissance Aircraft

 

[markis10]

Good one for trivia buffs: describe the turning radius of the SR71 at max speed in miles = circa 100!

 

[drewbles]

Thats one of the operational birds, the prototype is at Blackbird airpark.

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-...s-and-monographs/a-12/inventory-of-a-12s.html

And the one I saw was the training one, with some of the highest amount of hours!

 

[drewbles]

So, I would have to imagine with the retirement of the old birds sometime ago, what has replaced them? I highly doubt the US would de-comission them without something that's classified being implemented to replace them, even without the cold war threat.

Start your conspiracy theories here folks

 

[markis10]

So, I would have to imagine with the retirement of the old birds sometime ago, what has replaced them? I highly doubt the US would de-comission them without something that's classified being implemented to replace them, even without the cold war threat.

Start your conspiracy theories here folks

Sputnik was the start of their demise

 

[simongr]

So, I would have to imagine with the retirement of the old birds sometime ago, what has replaced them? I highly doubt the US would de-comission them without something that's classified being implemented to replace them, even without the cold war threat.

Start your conspiracy theories here folks

Satellites, unmanned drones... Wasn't the U2 still flying whilst these were flying?

 

[Boris spatsky]

Satellites, unmanned drones... Wasn't the U2 still flying whilst these were flying?

The U2 is still flying now.

 

[serfty]

Good one for trivia buffs: describe the turning radius of the SR71 at max speed in miles = circa 100!

I read it as 86 miles - made it hard to be discrete during 'secret' flight testing.

 

[NM]

According to the tour guide at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum at Dulles today, the SR71 was not flown over Russia, but instead skirted around Russian airspace with its cameras slightly sideways-looking[SUP]*[/SUP]. From 85,000 feet, you don't need to be directly over the target to get a good photo [SUP]*[/SUP].

The SR71 was the designation for the US Air Force operated aircraft[SUP]*[/SUP]. There was also a fleet of A12 aircraft that were operated by the CIA[SUP]*[/SUP]. Later, the fleets were merged and operated by the US Air Force[SUP]*[/SUP]. The operating cost was said to be US$85K per hour[SUP]*[/SUP]. A total of 38 aircraft were build[SUP]*[/SUP].

* these "facts" were provided by the tour guide, so I take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

 

[FlyboyAl]

There is also an SR71 at March Air Force Base Museum, near San Bernadino. I know its there because I sat in it

 

[Mal]

Satellites, unmanned drones... Wasn't the U2 still flying whilst these were flying?

Yep. Satellites and drones. I find it interesting the news articles on pine gap claims... Eg finding the source of a mobile phone signal etc. There must be some pretty damn good tech in use that we don't know about!