The SR-71 Blackbird

The CIA A-12 Blackbird Program

 

The A-12 started out as an USAF interceptor to replace the cancelled F-108A Rapier. In October 1962, CIA authorized the Skunk Works to study the feasibility of modifying the A-12 to carry and deploy a reconnaissance drone for unmanned overflight of denied areas. The project was codenamed TAGBOARD.

A-12 Blackbird #06924 / #121

A-12 Blackbird #06924 / #121

The first A-12, known as Article 121, was built and ground tested in Burbank during January and February 1962. Because the aircraft was too secret to fly to the test site and too large to carry on a cargo plane, it had to be trucked. 

Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 3.9

A-12 Blackbird #06927 / #124B

A-12 Blackbird #06927 / #124B

The only A-12 trainer (927) was a two seater version intended for pilot training. The A-12B trainer was known as The Titanium Goose.

Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 3.7
Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 3.8

SR-71A Blackbird #17960 / #2011

SR-71A Blackbird #17960 / #2011

SR-71A 17960 made her final flight on February 27, 1990, into Castle Air Force Base, California. She roared over the runway at low level for one last high speed pass before touching down for the last time.

Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 3.6
Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 5.0
Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 4.2
Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 2.5

SR-71A Blackbird #17980 / #2031 / NASA #0844

SR-71A Blackbird #17980 / #2031 / NASA #0844

LASRE was NASA's Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment which took place at the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, until November 1998. The experiment sought to provide flight data to help Lockheed Martin validate and tune the computational predictive tools used to determine the aerodynamic performance of the Lockheed Martin X-33 lifting body and linear aerospike engine combination and to lay groundwork for a future reusable launch vehicle.

Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 3.0
Author: SR Admin
0 Comments
Article rating: 3.1
RSS