The SR-71, retired in 1998, was perhaps the country's most recognizable spy plane after the U-2. Like many human retirees of the same generation, what became known as the Blackbird has had a healthy post-retirement career. From appearances in the "X-Men" franchise to cameos in the "Transformers" series, this super-speedy jet has made quite a name for itself in popular culture.
It's only natural for the Blackbird's successor to inspire similar appeal. Lockheed Martin has unveiled the gorgeous-looking SR-72. It flies just as far and twice as fast as its predecessor — and it's now lethal. According to Aviationweek:
The SR-72 is being designed with strike capability in mind. “We would envision a role with over-flight ISR, as well as missiles,” Leland says. Being launched from a Mach 6 platform, the weapons would not require a booster, significantly reducing weight. The higher speed of the SR-72 would also give it the ability to detect and strike more agile targets. “Even with the -SR-71, at Mach 3, there was still time to notify that the plane was coming, but at Mach 6, there is no reaction time to hide a mobile target. It is unavoidable ISR,” he adds.
The jet accelerates by way of a two-part system. A conventional jet turbine helps boost the aircraft up to Mach 3, at which point a specialized ramjet takes over and pushes the plane even faster into hypersonic mode.
From Lockheed's mock-ups, there doesn't appear to be a bubble for the pilot — which suggests a windowless cockpit or fantasies about a future unmanned version of the plane. But that might be getting ahead of ourselves.
Today's Reflection:
“A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people. ”
― Will Rogers
― Will Rogers
Live Long and Prosper...
1 comment:
During the late 1950's Cold War was at large, and USA was actively planning the construction of a top-secret aircraft that would soon replace the U-2. Here are more interesting details & video about this aircraft
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