Blackbird

[777 fixer]

When MIG-25 pilot Viktor Belenko defected in 1975 is reported that the SR-71 would give them the fits. They could get the MIG-25 to Mach 3 only breifly, even then they would have no chance of intercepting the Habu. All they really had to show for the effort were two wrecked engines.

 

[777 fixer]

Project Aurora. Rumored at Mach 6+. I read an article a while back that quoted some geologists. They said they detected seismic activity that was not land based. hey said it had the signature of a sonic boom. Who knows what they have up their sleeve. 😛h34r:

Ben Rich, the man behind the F-117, said there was no Project Aurora. Of course that could mean the project goes by another name. That way he technically would not have been lying about it

 

[Ms Tree]

I find it had to believe that NSA/USAF/CIA and the rest of the alphabet soup would give up a plane that was still state of the art, able to be tasked on short notice, be dam near any where in the world in a few hours unless they had something to replace it. I am guessing that Blackbird was a very valuable asset.

 

[777 fixer]

I find it had to believe that NSA/USAF/CIA and the rest of the alphabet soup would give up a plane that was still state of the art, able to be tasked on short notice, be dam near any where in the world in a few hours unless they had something to replace it. I am guessing that Blackbird was a very valuable asset.

What's amazing about it is if it were still flying today there would be nothing that could touch it. Not bad for a plane designed and built in the days before CATIA and computer automation. Nothing but an old fashioned drafting board and a slide rule.

 

[Ms Tree]

I thought there are SAM that are capable of mach 4 plus?