SR-71 getting a make over

www.dailymail.co.uk...

Happy 4th everyone

Looks like they may roll out the old gal with some updates

I'm on my phone I'll post a bit more later

a reply to: penroc3

Looks like a totally new plane not an update.

a reply to: penroc3

Its the Daily Mail...

The new bird, if it happens, will be a completely new bird. The SR-71 cannot be upgraded enough to sustain Mach 5.

Any chance that would be the green lady?

a reply to: Bluntone22

they are doing testing on the sr-71 airframe and then they will(or already have) a F-22(maybe that's where the F-23 went)sized demonstrator.

Quite boom technology, fighter sized hypersonic attack and recon aircraft coming into the light. Lockheed said the technology was mature but would not elaborate

First , the USA SAC sent most of the SR71s to the recycle bin (museums and the like). Except for 2(?) that I believe they sold to NASA .
This is the rebirth of the SR71 as the SR72 . The next gen and no way resembles the previous SR71

pretty sure this project was cancelled

a reply to: Gothmog

Exactly, did you read the full article I posted? They are being used as tech demonstration.

a reply to: penroc3

There is so much wrong in that article I don't even know where to start. About all he got right were direct quotes and some of the designations.

The SR-71 had nothing to do with it. All the airframes are accounted for and many can no longer be flown.

a reply to: humanoidlord

Pretty sure you're wrong. The Blackswift was called the SR-72 by a lot of people and went black. This program is only just starting.

a reply to: penroc3

No, the F-22 sized aircraft will be used as a tech demonstrator. There are no SR-71s flying and quite a few of them had their wings cut for transport. Even if they could be returned to service it would take years.

a reply to: Zaphod58



Dang Thread Killers are everywhere.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Is this something that maybe blackswift developed into?

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: penroc3

There is so much wrong in that article I don't even know where to start. About all he got right were direct quotes and some of the designations.

The SR-71 had nothing to do with it. All the airframes are accounted for and many can no longer be flown.

Thanks. Amazing that 3 of us posted the knowledge of the fate of the SR 71s , but were met with denial.

Question - the 2 sold to NASA , they still in operations or retired too ?

a reply to: Zaphod58

You seem to be proficiently informed all things air frame. Your background and credentials intrigue me. Care to provide a little biography?

a reply to: Gothmog

They only flew a couple years beyond the Air Force aircraft that were returned to service. I think they retired them around 98, but that's just off the top of my head.

a reply to: Gothmog

If I remember off the top of my head they were only ever loaned to Nasa for research. I think they used 4 different airframes with the last flying October 99.

originally posted by: CharlesT
a reply to: Zaphod58

You seem to be proficiently informed all things air frame. Your background and credentials intrigue me. Care to provide a little biography?

I can talk to you about "Fun with LOx Globs"

Old ones way cooler looking.

a reply to: Gothmog

WHAT?????

I gotta cut back on the George Dickel!!!


I'm celibrating the 4th of July.