Only 31 SR-71 Blackbirds were ever made. These SR-71 photos were photographed by civilians or members/veterans of the US. Air Force and NASA.
The SR-71 Blackbird was such a fast, high-flying aircraft that even NASA wanted to take the Blackbird on to do testing of their own. With a service ceiling of 85,000 feet, it could push up to the envelope of where the atmosphere ends and space begins.
A left side view of an SR-71 aircraft from the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing landing. The aircraft is silhouetted against the sunset. These SR-71 photos were photographed by civilians or members/veterans of the US. Air Force and NASA.
This close-up, head-on view of NASA’s SR-71A Blackbird in flight shows the aircraft with an experimental test fixture mounted on the back of the airplane.
Blackbird Maintainers clean the SR-71 static display at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
The design and features in the Blackbird would go on to influence future aircraft design – including elements used in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and nearly every stealth aircraft produced since. These SR-71 photos were photographed by civilians or members/veterans of the US. Air Force and NASA.
The SR-71, in many respects, has yet to be beaten in many of the records it has broken, and it was built in a time when America was breaking barrier after barrier in terms of scientific endeavors.
SR-71 was developed as a long-range strategic reconnaissance aircraft capable of flying at speeds over Mach 3.2 and at 85,000 feet.
The SR-71 was developed as a long-range strategic reconnaissance aircraft capable of flying at speeds over Mach 3.2 and at 85,000 feet.
The first SR-71 to enter service was delivered in 1966 and it was retired in 1990. However, the USAF still kept a few SR-71s in operation up until 1998, after a few were brought back to service in 1995. NASA’s DFRC at Edwards AFB, CA flew the SR-71 from 1991 until the program was canceled in late 2001.
We think you’d love to see these images of the U-2 Dragon Lady Spy Plane! These SR-71 photos were photographed by civilians or members/veterans of the US. Air Force and NASA.
