5 SR71 Speed Records

Introduction to the SR71 Speed Records

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a supersonic reconnaissance plane that was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by Lockheed Skunk Works. The SR-71 was designed to operate at high speeds and altitudes, making it an ideal platform for reconnaissance and surveillance missions. One of the most impressive aspects of the SR-71 is its speed, which has been recorded at over 2,193 miles per hour. In this blog post, we will explore five notable speed records set by the SR-71.

Record 1: Fastest Speed Ever Recorded

On July 28, 1976, an SR-71 piloted by Major Brian Shul set the record for the fastest speed ever recorded by an air-breathing aircraft. The plane reached a speed of 2,193 miles per hour, which is equivalent to Mach 3.56. This record was set during a test flight at the Edwards Air Force Base in California. The SR-71 was able to achieve this incredible speed due to its powerful Pratt & Whitney J58 engines, which produced 32,500 pounds of thrust.

Record 2: Los Angeles to Washington D.C. in Under 1 Hour

On September 1, 1974, an SR-71 piloted by Major Brian Shul and his navigator, Major Walter Watson, set the record for the fastest flight from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. The plane completed the 2,400-mile journey in just 64 minutes, which is an average speed of 2,252 miles per hour. This record demonstrates the SR-71’s ability to cover long distances quickly, making it an ideal platform for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Record 3: New York to London in Under 2 Hours

On September 1, 1974, the same SR-71 piloted by Major Brian Shul and Major Walter Watson set the record for the fastest flight from New York to London. The plane completed the 3,460-mile journey in just 1 hour and 54 minutes, which is an average speed of 2,070 miles per hour. This record highlights the SR-71’s ability to operate at high speeds over long distances, making it a valuable asset for military and intelligence agencies.

Record 4: Altitude Record

On July 28, 1976, an SR-71 piloted by Major Brian Shul set the record for the highest altitude ever reached by an air-breathing aircraft. The plane reached an altitude of 85,069 feet, which is equivalent to 25,929 meters. This record demonstrates the SR-71’s ability to operate at high altitudes, making it an ideal platform for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Record 5: Sustained Speed

On July 28, 1976, an SR-71 piloted by Major Brian Shul set the record for sustained speed, flying at an average speed of 2,193 miles per hour for 15 minutes. This record highlights the SR-71’s ability to maintain high speeds over a prolonged period, making it a valuable asset for military and intelligence agencies.

🚀 Note: The SR-71's speed records are still unbroken to this day, a testament to the plane's incredible performance and capabilities.

In summary, the SR-71 has set numerous speed records that are still unbroken to this day. Its ability to operate at high speeds and altitudes makes it an ideal platform for reconnaissance and surveillance missions. The SR-71’s speed records are a testament to its incredible performance and capabilities, and it remains one of the most impressive aircraft in history.