Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

[wacojoe]

Sometimes it is enough to know heirlooms are valued by others as well with no intention of ever selling them. Many of the people with objects on the Antiques Roadshow obviously have no intention of selling a family heirloom, but still are interested in sharing them and learning how others value them.

I imagine your father’s Sled Driver would have too much personal connection to think of passing it on.

[Truckman]

Here's one I hadn't read from the Lockheed-Martin website......Ben

[Truckman]

Another tale of the contrails......Ben

[Truckman]

Another article about the Habu...Most of the information herein I've read elsewhere, but I don't recall seeing the engine test video for the J-58 before now......Ben

[Phillbo]

See post #28 in this thread

[Truckman]

See post #28 in this thread

That's what I get for being too lazy to click links......Ben

[wacojoe]

One of the biggest problems in creating a stealthy aircraft is the rear cross-section’s radar reflective surface, especially with the SR-71 and its predecessor, the A-26, because the exhausts on those aircraft are so large. The Skunk Works design team came up with a novel approach by developing additives to the fuel which, when burned at high temperatures created a radar absorbing plasma. The additive created other problems which apparently reduced use of the method on missions both with the A-12’s and the SR-71’s.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...ium-laced-fuel

[Phillbo]

Wow.. cool stuff. I never knew that. Having dinner with my Dad tonight, I'll ask him about the additive.

I also assumed they were not entirely concerned about radar since they flew so high and fast that no one had missiles that could shoot them down.

[UTAH]

Once again, I learned something interesting at this site.

Hunter

[Truckman]

Wow.. cool stuff. I never knew that. Having dinner with my Dad tonight, I'll ask him about the additive.

I never heard of it either, Bo, so I'll be interested in his answer...I also wonder what that would have added to the already high cost of JP-7...Also they knew they could be tracked by radar, but the aircraft outran every one of the more than 4,000 fired at them in their operational history......Ben

[wacojoe]

The article referenced the N. Vietnamese got close enough with a rocket so that one SR-71 came back with shrapnel embedded in it. That’s the first such reference I can recall. After that, I would think the pilots would be a bit more reflective of their invulnerability.

[Phillbo]

I told my Father about this post and he was familiar with the concept but doubted it was used much or did any good..... The exhaust was not what radar was tracking in those days. No plane could fly high enough to launch a heat seeking missile that would acquire the Black Bird.

[Truckman]

That's good intel from an informed source...Thanks Bo......Ben

[wacojoe]

My impression was that the plasma did not conceal the exhaust, but served to absorb any radar beams that would have subsequently reflected off the metal exhaust tubes or ports behind the plume. I could be wrong, as it was not explained adequately in the article.

Despite not being reachable by missiles, on some missions it might be important that the enemy not know the plane was ever even there, so complete invisibility to radar would be important.

I found the speculation interesting that the concept might be in use presently in drones and hyper-speed missiles.

[Truckman]

This is the only self-powered, manned aircraft that ever flew higher or faster than the SR-71...And it couldn't get airborne without a piggyback ride...Still, 4,600 MPH at 354,200 feet of altitude on two minutes of fuel, then landing on your own wheels is impressive...But the SR-72 could even eclipse both, even if its pilot gets to keep his feet on the ground drinking coffee......Ben