The Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” is a long-range, high-altitude, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed and manufactured by the American aerospace company Lockheed Corporation.
source/image(PrtSc): Real Engineering
The planes could reach speeds of up to 2,200 mph or Mach 3. Not only would they reach those speeds, the planes could sustain them for over an hour at a time. The SR-71 was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft during the 1960s by Lockheed’s Skunk Works division. Watch the video from Real Engineering for more info:
During high-speed cruise conditions, the balance of total thrust was produced by the unique design of the engine inlet and a moveable conical spike at the front of each engine nacelle.The shape of the SR-71 was based on that of the A-12, which was one of the first aircraft to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section.
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At one point, a bomber variant of the aircraft was under consideration, before the program was focused solely on reconnaissance. Mission equipment for the reconnaissance role included signals intelligence sensors, a side-looking airborne radar, and a photo camera; the SR-71 was both longer and heavier than the A-12, allowing it hold more fuel as well as a two-seat cockpit.wikipedia
