Sr-71

[andrew_huxtable]

The experts will soon be along to belittle me. Is it possible for these still to be flying missions? Is their any need for them or have they been made redundant by uav and satellites

[davepoth]

It's unlikely since they are so bloody expensive to run (they need a whole separate fuel infrastructure).

The U-2 is good enough for most of what they used the SR-71 for since most insurgents don't own missiles that can go that high. And they're using that a lot.

The big bonus of a plane as opposed to a satellite is that the target doesn't know when you will be coming.

[andrew_huxtable]

Yeah I read a thread on here about someone seeing a U recently flying in to the UK. That is pretty impressive as its pretty old in terms of operating aircraft

[0a]

Are they still flying?

Apologies for utter ignorance!

[dudleybloke]

i hear that they are still producing jp7 fuel though....
wheres it being used?

[tank slapper]

It's used for Scramjet research. The X-51 used it, so I imagine it won't be the only thing that does.

[andrew_huxtable]

Just been on the U2 wikipage, interesting reading. I liked this bit the most

In 1984, during a major NATO exercise, Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant Mike Hale intercepted a U-2 at a height of 66,000 feet (20,000 m), where the aircraft had previously been considered safe from interception. Hale climbed to 88,000 feet (27,000 m) in his Lightning F3.

[PRTVR]

Or they have a replacement plane in the air ? the skunk works have been very busy since the SR71, one wonder what they have been working on.

[rudecherub]

Aurora.

[davepoth]

KEEP WATCHING THE SKIES.

Or something.

[Eric Mc]

The U2s in service today were built in the 1980s and were quite a bit more advanced than the original 1950s versions.

[Olf]

I talked to a couple of B52 pilots recently - they told me that those old birds are being life extended to 2040 The last one built will be 78 years old by then!

[big bloke]

I once read a story that said an SR-71 had totaly over shot Britain, instead of landing here.

Please tell me this in an urban legend?

[jmorgan]

Love to get me mits on a copy of sled driver.

Old PH thread

[RDMcG]

I believe they are no longer in active service. Satellites have replaced them.

[rhinochopig]

jmorgan said:

Love to get me mits on a copy of sled driver.

Old PH thread

Local library order. That's what i did. TBH whilst it is a fascinating insight, it is overrated IMO.

[onyx39]

big bloke said:

I once read a story that said an SR-71 had totaly over shot Britain, instead of landing here.

Please tell me this in an urban legend?

This rings a bell....

[PRTVR]

RDMcG said:

I believe they are no longer in active service. Satellites have replaced them.

Its strange you say this, because a very long time ago I was watching the TV, and an american air force person was being interviewed about the SR71 and he was explaining the problem with satellites, fixed time over target not always in the right position but with a plane you can be pop up and catch them with the covers off also the ability to cover all areas quickly,
I do not think things have changed in the satellite world that much, so the need for SR71 type plane remains.

Anybody know how long they managed to keep the SR71 secret?

[LimaDelta]

Everything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask

[Total loss]

big bloke said:

I once read a story that said an SR-71 had totaly over shot Britain, instead of landing here.

Please tell me this in an urban legend?

100 mile turning circle at mach 3+, so urban legend ?