Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

The Mach 3 reconnaissance aircraft built for high-altitude strategic surveillance.

Overview

Lockheed Martin United States ICAO: SR71 1966–1968 $34 million (1966)

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was a long-range reconnaissance aircraft designed for sustained high-speed flight. Introduced during the Cold War, it operated at extreme altitude and speed. The aircraft entered service in the mid-1960s.

Live Fleet Activity (SR71)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney J58 JT11D-20J or JT11D-20K
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
2 × 34,000 lbf · 151 kN
Avionics
Itek KA-102A 36–48, SIGINT and ELINT
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
107 ft 5 in  ·  32.74 m
Tail height
18 ft 6 in  ·  5.64 m
Fuselage diameter
5 ft 3 in  ·  1.60 m
Wing span
55 ft 7 in  ·  16.94 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
172,000 lb  ·  78,000 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
3,500 lb  ·  1,600 kg
Fuel capacity
12,200 gal · 46,300 L · 37,000 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
1,911 kt  ·  2,199 mph  ·  3,539 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
2,900 nm  ·  3,340 mi  ·  5,370 km
Fuel burn
0.24 nm/gal  ·  0.12 km/L
Ceiling
85,000 ft  ·  25,900 m
Rate of climb
11,820 ft/min  ·  60 m/s
Takeoff distance
5,400 ft  ·  1,650 m
Landing distance
3,600 ft  ·  1,100 m
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front high view from a tanker of a SR 71 Blackbird

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Operational Context

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird — high-speed strategic reconnaissance aircraft

The SR-71 first flew in 1964 and entered operational service in 1966. Developed from earlier A-12 designs, it featured a sleek fuselage and advanced materials capable of withstanding high temperatures. The aircraft was optimized for intelligence gathering at speeds exceeding Mach 3.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J58 turbojet engines producing approximately 32,500 pounds of thrust (144 kN) each with afterburner, the SR-71 cruised above Mach 3 at altitudes exceeding 80,000 feet (24,385 m). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 170,000 pounds (77,110 kg). The aircraft carried specialized reconnaissance sensors rather than weapons.

The SR-71 conducted strategic surveillance missions worldwide until retirement in the 1990s. Its speed and altitude made interception extremely difficult. The Blackbird remains one of the fastest aircraft ever placed in operational service.

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