Tango01 | 31 Dec 2015 12:55 p.m. PST |
"Capable of cruising at speeds in excess of Mach 3.2, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft to ever to see operational service. But even though its performance has never been matched, the SR-71 was retired as the Cold War drew to a close. The Blackbird was initially retired in 1990, even before the fall of the Soviet Union. Eventually, however, three of the jets were reactivated by the Air Force—at the insistence of Congress—for a brief period between 1995 and 1998. Meanwhile, NASA flew research missions with the aircraft until 1999. In the end, the Blackbird was retired without a true replacement. But why?.." Full article here link Amicalement Armand |
Mako11 | 31 Dec 2015 1:22 p.m. PST |
Because there's a faster, better, replacement, that's top, top, secret, operational for some time now……. Some call it Aurora. Not sure what the official designation is. |
RavenscraftCybernetics | 31 Dec 2015 1:52 p.m. PST |
satellites made it obsolete? |
Dye4minis | 31 Dec 2015 2:39 p.m. PST |
Leaked like a siv until it took off and the seals heated up. Very expensive to operate. Despite this, it had a great record! Way to go Habu! |
Timmo uk | 31 Dec 2015 3:08 p.m. PST |
I'd call it Aurora. Others might prefer to call it a UFO. From what I understand satellites can't do exactly the same job as the SR-71 and if that really is the case then I guess they may have an operational replacement in use. |
Mako11 | 31 Dec 2015 3:45 p.m. PST |
Yea, satellites are great, but enemies track them, since they fly along predictable paths, and at consistent speeds. Jets, and/or ramjets can get you where you need to be quickly, and can't be predicted easily, especially when flying at Mach 3+. |
Brian Bronson | 31 Dec 2015 4:53 p.m. PST |
I suspect that "Aurora" is real. The official story that satellites will do the work that the SR-71 did just doesn't hold water. Satellites follow known predictable paths. And if you don't have one that is going to go over the area you want to spy on, you need to alter one's orbit (if you can alter it enough.) Unless we have so many satellites in orbit that coverage isn't a factor. Manned spy planes are just too flexible and useful to be replaced. |
bsrlee | 31 Dec 2015 4:55 p.m. PST |
Limited number of airframes which in turn have a limited fatigue life – very hard to explain when major parts fall off, like a wing. It seems someone in the Air Force was thinking as they seem to have mothballed them with at least a bit of operational time left on the clock, just for 'emergencies'. |
Rich Bliss | 31 Dec 2015 7:43 p.m. PST |
Aurora is real. I've seen enough to know. |
Lion in the Stars | 31 Dec 2015 8:12 p.m. PST |
Supposedly, the SR71s would re-anneal the airframe every flight, which greatly prolonged their fatigue life. Might have even made for an indefinite fatigue life. But all the other parts were wearing out with not a single spare to be found. Nobody knows how to make them anymore. Same problem with the B52s, though we mothballed 3/4 the fleet to cannibalize for spare parts for them. |
Mardaddy | 31 Dec 2015 8:51 p.m. PST |
My Mom worked for a firm with a former SR-71 pilot, I was airplane-obsessed at the time and was taken aback when he told me the top speed was much higher than the gov would officially admit. Made me ponder at the possibilities, because what they were willing to admit was DAMN fast to begin with. He flew Wild Weasel Thuds in Vietnam as well; heavy drinker, but a really nice guy. I was entering High School at the time and was also heavily into models, so built and camo'ed up a 1/72 Monogram F-105 for display at his desk. |
Mako11 | 31 Dec 2015 9:27 p.m. PST |
Yea, I've heard rumors of Mach 5, or so, and IIRC, some of the declassified CIA reports mention speeds approaching Mach 4. I forget how many missiles were fired at them, and all missed. I think that headline mentioned about 10,000, or so. |
kiltboy | 01 Jan 2016 8:21 a.m. PST |
The book "Sled Driver" is available as a pdf online and it does make for interesting reading. I seem to remember that the AA intercepts were getting closer to being successful and missile technology was approaching the point when the aircraft would be more vulnerable. I think that played into the decision to stop the flights. David |
Quaker | 01 Jan 2016 11:29 p.m. PST |
I don't believe "Aurora" is real. I think near the end of the Cold War they were relying on KH-11/U2/SR-71 and with the post-Cold War budget cuts couldn't afford "Aurora". What they are using since the post-9/11 increase in funding is the Boeing X-37 spaceplane. It is untouchable by ordinary SAMs, unmanned so no international embarrassment, and unlike a regular satellite it can aggressively maneuver to cover areas that conventional satellites aren't fully covering and to avoid orbit prediction. Lower level stuff is done by stealth drones. |
LORDGHEE | 02 Jan 2016 12:05 p.m. PST |
when you go up as a space tourist, you sign a non disclosure with real teeth which states you will not discuss what you see up there. Luckly NASA makes mistakes or is not told to shut off cameras on some missions YouTube link 2:53 is very intreasting |
LORDGHEE | 02 Jan 2016 1:46 p.m. PST |
Can not find an old link like the one I posted. It showed a far close and leaving shot of a black craft (like X 15 ) on a shuttle mission. This craft was not v shaped and probality not ours. |
Mako11 | 02 Jan 2016 4:31 p.m. PST |
Airline pilots have spotted it over the North Sea, decades ago, so it's real. It's been seen in other places too. |
Saber6 | 09 Jan 2016 3:33 p.m. PST |
Scariest thing about the SR71, built with 50's technology (came off the line in 1959) |