This is the successor to the SR-71 Blackbird, and it is gorgeous

[pricestar8]

This is the successor to the SR-71 Blackbird, and it is gorgeous

 

 

  November 1 at 10:58 am

 

 

 

• • So it's only natural that the Blackbird's successor might inspire similar appeal. More than a decade after the last SR-71 was decommissioned, Lockheed Martin has unveiled the gorgeous-looking SR-72. It flies just as far and twice as fast as its predecessor — and, in a twist, it's now lethal, according to Aviationweek:

    The jet accelerates by way of a two-part system. A conventional jet turbine helps boost the aircraft up to Mach 3, at which point a specialized ramjet takes over and pushes the plane even faster into hypersonic mode.

    The SR-72 is being designed with strike capability in mind. “We would envision a role with over-flight ISR, as well as missiles,” Leland says. Being launched from a Mach 6 platform, the weapons would not require a booster, significantly reducing weight. The higher speed of the SR-72 would also give it the ability to detect and strike more agile targets. “Even with the -SR-71, at Mach 3, there was still time to notify that the plane was coming, but at Mach 6, there is no reaction time to hide a mobile target. It is unavoidable ISR,” he adds.

    From Lockheed's mock-ups, there doesn't appear to be a bubble for the pilot — which suggests a windowless cockpit or fantasies about a future unmanned version of the plane. But let's not get ahead of ourselves

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/11/01/this-is-the-successor-to-the-sr-71-blackbird-and-it-is-gorgeous/?tid=pm_pop

 

 

 

 

[EagleEye]

HOT D$#% where do I sign up....WOULD love to fly that BEAUTY.....even just once +1 for you Thanks

[Heavyduty053]

That is nice

[Rayzur]

I'm right there with you EagleEye..... wow....

I used to pop over the top from Beale and always loved every time I got to check out the SR.... what a magnificant bird....

[Gullywumper]

Yes Razur you deserve to fly that beauty!

I just want to see the electronics and guidance systems they are using.

from the stuff I made back in the early 80's.

dam I miss building that stuff.    (tears in my eyes)

why do we have to get old God?

but at least I had my chance.Thank You God!

PG

[EagleEye]

I'm right there with you EagleEye..... wow....

I used to pop over the top from Beale and always loved every time I got to check out the SR.... what a magnificant bird....

 

Saw my first SR when I was still a cadet at USAFA only then it was called the YF12A  ...they called the Wing out to formation at an unusual time...that badboy dropped over the front range buzzed the Wing...pointed her straight up and lit the burners...never forgot it....when I was recruited for space shuttle I spent sometime talking to an SR pilot friend because they had to complete the Astronaut training to fly them...was all psyched until I learned the divorce rate....after 3 tours SEA ....could not do it...

[10 YEARS LATER]

Bad to the Bone !

[Charlie Echo]

"kick die Reifen und leichte Brände"

 

"фраза «kick шины и свет пожаров"

 

Translated from English to any language "Kick the tires and light the fires"!!!!

[waterman13]

ya vol

da

Wm13

Edited November 5, 2013 by waterman13

[jon29]

I already have one. Gas guzzler.