The Mach 3 SR-71 Blackbird Deserves A Better Fate Than This

National Security Journal ^ | 11/8/2025 | Steve Balestrieri

[whyilovetexas111]

The SR-71 Blackbird was a “fantastic” aircraft, but its origins lie in the even faster, single-seat CIA A-12 “Oxcart.” Developed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works to fly at Mach 3.2+ and 90,000 feet, the A-12 required a 90% titanium airframe to survive the 800°F heat. In a “stunning” Cold War irony, the CIA had to secretly buy the titanium from its main adversary, the Soviet Union, using “shell companies” and a “pizza oven” cover story.

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TOPICS: Government; History; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: aviation; history; military; russia; sr71

[whyilovetexas111]

This is pretty cool as a lot of photos. I loved this plane and sad to see it go. I saw it in the move Daryl, anyone remember that?

[DFG]

Major Brian Shul, USAF (Ret.) SR-71 Blackbird pilot ‘Speed Check’ story

https://www.thesr71blackbird.com/Aircraft/Stories/sr-71-blackbird-speed-check-story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyHH9G9et0

His REO asked Los Angeles Center for a ground speed check after a Navy F-18 pilot asked for his ground speed. Time for the Air Force to smack the Navy. F-18 ground speed was 620 knots. Los Angeles Center response to the SR-71 speed check request: “Aspen 20, I show you at one thousand eight hundred and forty-two knots, across the ground.”

[left that other site]

I loved that aircraft.

Thanks for posting.

[sasquatch]

rewatching before you posted. Wonderful.

[Flatus I. Maximus]

A better fate? At least they’re in museums, and not sitting in the boneyard at Davis-Monthan.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

If you didn’t know he passed 2 years ago:

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4154915/posts

[telescope115]

I love that story!

[alternatives?]

What does the author want? The cost of flying them would be astronomical and likely very dangerous. It wouldn’t be feasible to sell trips. They largely flew at an altitude that nobody on the ground could see. They are displayed and haven’t been sold for scrap.

Just remember, the CIA was heavily involved in their development. This is also about the time the CIA was involved in the single shooter conclusion of the JFK assassination.

[al baby]

I watch ie listen to that about once a month frickin love it

[ReformedBeckite]

From what I understand the Air Force tried to get rid of it for like 10 years before they decommissioned it, but some senator from the State that Lockheed was headquarter at fought to keep the program alive. I don’t know totally why but from what I’ve heard it was doing duplicate work that really didn’t need to be done and was really not needed. In the intel part of our government during the cold war it was about getting the money and keeping it flowing whether you need it or not. And if I told you more from what I’ve heard I would have to hunt you down and shoot you so you don’t tell anyone else ;-)

[Red6]

It’s still one of the most beautiful and distinctive planes ever built.

If you paint it red, you could claim Ferrari built it.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Fun fact: The fuel was used as the coolant throughout the plane.

[larrytown]

How sad it rots away in museums

Stupid sentimentalism. It was NOT "decades ahead of its time" - it was the technological peak of its time. That time is long past, and there is no need for it. Its current 'place' is in museums.

[Ditto]

This is also about the time the CIA was involved in the single shooter conclusion of the JFK assassination.

What’s your “expert” conclusion?

[dagunk]

1. A12/SR71 designed with slide rules. I keep a few on hand.
2. The F117 exterior shape was designed using equations developed by a Russian mathematician.
3. We snookered them twice (grin).

[Ditto]

Aspen 20, I show you at one thousand eight hundred and forty-two knots, across the ground.

And the space shuttle flew at over 5 miles a second while Apollo 8, 10 , 11, 12 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 flew at over 24,000 mph. Now that is fast. The SR-71 was a slow poke compared to them.

[steve in DC]

Atmospheric drag plays a part.

[The Great RJ]

Yes they are in museums, but being preserved for history and as a testament to the brilliance of Kelly Johnson and his skunk works crew at Lockheed. Consider that this amazing aircraft was designed largely without computers and utilized brilliant human engineering and slide rule technology.

[Crusher138]

This is what we have done with slide rules.

We have had practical computers for over 50 years.

We have likely had quantum computing for close to a decade.

Imagine what aircraft we have that aren’t shared with the public!

[Getready]

Where is all the evidence for the multiple shooter hypotheses? The JFK assassination files have been released...I have expected a💥BOMBSHELL💥 revelation for a while now .
Just sayin’.
Freegards.