SR-71
Cold War spy-plane
The SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed for the U.S.
Air Force.
Capable of speeds exceeding Mach 3, it remained the fastest piloted aircraft ever built throughout its operational life from 1966 to 1999.
The designation follows military naming conventions where SR stands for strategic reconnaissance.
Legendary supersonic reconnaissance jet
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- supersonicExceeding audio velocity
- spy planeCovert aerial surveillance craft
- titaniumElement twenty-two
altitude · stealth · turbojet · afterburner · cockpit · fuselage · airframe · tanker
Documented fastest performance
- altitude recordHighest point ever achieved
- fastestMost rapid of all
- highestTopmost in position
- unmatchedHaving no equal
performance · achievement · milestone · aviation history · legend · iconic · unprecedented · record-breaking
Systematic observation of subjects
- Soviet UnionFormer communist superstate
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
overflight · intelligence · nuclear · deterrence · Iron Curtain · secret · mission · adversary
Volume increase from warming
- heat dissipationTransfer of warmth outward
- fuel leakUnintended petroleum discharge
- bypassRoute that skirts obstacles
- compressorPressure-increasing mechanical device
aerodynamics · wind tunnel · prototype · innovation · materials science · metallurgy · propulsion · design
Public exhibit space
- SmithsonianFederally funded museum network
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
- decommissionedRemoved from active service
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
exhibit · collectible · model · documentary · memoir · tribute · commemoration · restoration
Blackbird
Legendary supersonic reconnaissance jet
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- supersonicExceeding audio velocity
- spy planeCovert aerial surveillance craft
titanium · altitude · stealth · turbojet · afterburner · cockpit · fuselage · airframe · tanker · refueling
speed record
Documented fastest performance
- altitude recordHighest point ever achieved
- fastestMost rapid of all
- highestTopmost in position
unmatched · performance · achievement · milestone · aviation history · legend · iconic · unprecedented · record-breaking · feat
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
- Soviet UnionFormer communist superstate
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
classified · overflight · intelligence · nuclear · deterrence · Iron Curtain · secret · mission · adversary · detection
thermal expansion
Volume increase from warming
- heat dissipationTransfer of warmth outward
- fuel leakUnintended petroleum discharge
- bypassRoute that skirts obstacles
compressor · aerodynamics · wind tunnel · prototype · innovation · materials science · metallurgy · propulsion · design
museum
Public exhibit space
- SmithsonianFederally funded museum network
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
- decommissionedRemoved from active service
preservation · exhibit · collectible · model · documentary · memoir · tribute · commemoration · restoration · display
- aerospaceairplane, helicopter, rocket, rockets, spacecraft
- Aviation milestonesfirst flight, Wright brothers, sound barrier, Concorde, jet engine
- Aerial Reconnaissancespy plane, spy planes, U-2, reconnaissance flight, reconnaissance drone
- Air Forceflying officer, squadron leader, wing commander, group captain, air marshal
- Cold War AircraftB-52, MiG-21, U-2, MiG-15, F-14 Tomcat
- Cold War ArmsICBM, nuclear bomb, hydrogen bomb, atomic bomb, B-52
SR-71blimp
Non-rigid flying vessel
Zeppelin · hot air balloon · glider · Piper Cub · crop duster
SR-71B-2 Spirit
Radar-evading military aircraft
bomber · strategic bomber · gunship · A-10 Warthog · AC-130
SR-71Wright Flyer
First successful powered airplane
biplane · barnstormer · Sopwith Camel · ultralight · propeller plane