We see some factory pics for the Buicks - I thought this was interesting. I assume its the "skunk works". I wonder if the Buick start carts were made there too! https://www.thesr71blackbird.com/Ai...sr-71-blackbirds-j58-engines-ag330-start-cart
I had the opportunity to work on the U-2 Spy plane while at Beal Air Force Base and while there, I got to see the SR-71 Blackbirds take off and land. An opportunity most people never get to experience. I never n knew that Buick engines were used to startup the Blackbirds. Very cool indeed. Vet (Navy)
For now, only a Concept. The Lockheed Martin SR-72, colloquially referred to as "Son of Blackbird",[1] is an American hypersonic UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) concept intended for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) proposed privately in 2013 by Lockheed Martin as a successor to the retired (retired my ass, it's still in use ) Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. In 2018, company executives said an SR-72 test vehicle could fly by 2025 and enter service in the 2030s. Too bad, NO human is going to fly this HOT ROD. Vet (Navy)
Believe me, I can't ID my source, I've been an Intel officer for 32 years. I'am now retired. You can bet, when you need Intel as quick as possible, and you have a spy jet that can out run missiles. The Air Force is not going to fully retire it without a Mission ready replacement. Vet
It's not still in use. The ISR capabilities that were under development were too clostly and there is no need for a air vehicle to fly this fast for a human. There are more capable Space based assets now - its 2024. Lockheed Martin Skunkwork is focused elsewhere on clandestine, stealth UAVs. Source: Me.
I'll buy the mission-ready replacement SR-72, but it would make no sense to be putting actual SR-71 aircraft in museums if they were still operating Habu. There were 32 built, 12 were lost in crashes - none to enemy action however. Those donated Blackbirds would be hoarded for parts if any were still operating. It would also put the Air Force in a very difficult position if it were found that they were operating an aircraft that according to them was retired 25 years ago. I am aware that the '71 was in operation for 12 years before the word got out that we had it, but the Air Force didn't deny that they had it - they just didn't say anything, and only took off and landed at night. Now they would be flat-out lying if they were still operating it. I also think that most of what the SR-71 could do can now be done with satellites. With only 20 left, anyone who really wanted to, could do a count of the museum 'birds. I'll stop short of calling you wrong, but I am really skeptical that any are still flying.
I started on USAF fighters in the 70s, was also flying crewmember on a few, and the last jet I touched was this USMC jet in 2015. So, when I say I know a few things (and people in the "program") about what it takes to maintain and operate aircraft. No SR-71 has flown for a 1/4 century, unless it was hanging from a crane while being loaded on a flatbed to be trucked to a museum.
John, I can't prove what I say because it's classified. However, what was in the news that says the Russians will deploy space weapons to kill our SatCom Intel. You can bet, the military and Intel community with scramble big time to get a land based quick reaction response if this comes true. Believe me, NOT everything gets published to the public. I will admit, way too much is published. We need to get back to WWII, Need to Know Only Info. Vet
That's good to know. My greatest fears, are, we're losing our military edge. Today's kids are so physically out of shape, the military can't meet their quota. The Navy just came out with lowering their entrance qualification standards. We are in big trouble. Just remember who started the U-2 Program and it's high performance program is the SR-71. Who started Area 51. The CIA, that's who.
I'm no fun. I don't believe that our government is out to get us, I'm not much for conspiracy theories (People are lousy at keeping secrets), and I don't think that we all need to know everything that the government is doing. We knew nothing about the Atomic Bomb until it was actually successfully tested, and that was a good thing. Certainly something is going on in area 51, but it may be something that we really don't need to know.
Vet your concerns are valid. As a non-retired person you can rest assured there is great innovation and resiliency work being done, endo and exo atmospheric, terrestial, maritime and underwater. Yes, There are $s allocated for older asset storage. Everyone likes a classic vehicle I am also familiar with operational systems and mitigating scenarios which are routinely done - you are probably aware of this even as a retiree. Putting a Mach 3+ (loud) target in the air even in a scenario where Space systems are disabled is not a solution. A high flying, slow moving goofy aircraft with barely any landing gear poses no threat and that is one (not all) reason the U2 is still used... There are significant technology systems that are operational that the public does not know about and are still resilient to the current threats. Addressing your other concerns, we need to support our local schools more with volunteerism, mentoring etc.
You make very valid points that I agree with 100%. Before I got into the Intel business, I worked on the Stars War program that President Reagen authorized. I fully understand there a multitude of Defense Programs being in the works. Mr. black70buick, I noticed you're located in Arizona. I have to assume you are a Defense Contractor. Appreciate very much your diligent work to keep America safe. Thank you, brother. Vet
I agree with you 100% John. Both my father and Father-in-law were in WWII and I used to hear them say, when writing letters home, they couldn't even tell their family where they were located. Now that's what I call "compartmented Information". Too bad the American Media has to print everything as quickly as they can. All about money hungry greed. Vet
Likewise, Thank you for serving. I have been in one of the Starwars labs long retired, infact I was just there yesterday. Small world, even smaller in certain communities. -Chad
