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.[N 1] The SR-71 has several nicknames, including "Blackbird" and "Habu".[1]
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. American aerospace engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the aircraft's innovative concepts.[2] The shape of the SR-71 was based on that of the Lockheed A-12, which was one of the first aircraft to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section. Initially, a bomber variant of the A-12 was requested by Curtis LeMay, before the program was focused solely on reconnaissance. The SR-71 was longer and heavier than the A-12, allowing it to hold more fuel as well as a two-seat cockpit. The SR-71's existence was revealed to the public in July 1964; it entered service in the United States Air Force (USAF) in January 1966.[3] In 1989, the USAF retired the SR-71, largely for political reasons; several were briefly reactivated during the 1990s before their second retirement in 1998. NASA was the final operator of the Blackbird, using it as a research platform; it was retired again in 1999.[4]
Mission equipment for the plane's aerial reconnaissance role included signals intelligence sensors, side looking airborne radar, and a camera.[5] During missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes (Mach 3.2 and 85,000 feet, 25,900 meters), allowing it to outrace or entirely avoid threats.[5] If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outpace the missile.[6] On average, each SR-71 could fly once per week due to the extended turnaround required after mission recovery. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action.[7][8]
(info from the wiki)
GENERAL INFO
- Predecessor: Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird (#17971)
- Created On: Windows
- Game Version: 1.3.111.0
- Price: $60,873k
- Number of Parts: 1281
- Dimensions: 6 m x 17 m x 34 m
PERFORMANCE
- Total Delta V: 0m/s
- Total Thrust: 600N
- Engines: 4
- Wet Mass: 60,942kg
- Dry Mass: 52,229kg
STAGES
Stage | Engines | Delta V | Thrust | Burn | Mass |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 0m/s | 0N | 0s | 60,840kg |
Can’t believe @mostly upvoted it, this is awesome!!!