Lockheed SR-71B Blackbird

The Lockheed SR‑71B Blackbird, a variant of the legendary SR‑71 family, was built by Lockheed Corporation during the Cold War to fulfill a need for ultra‑fast, high‑altitude reconnaissance. First flown on 19 March 1964, the B model served primarily as a trainer and support aircraft, allowing pilots to familiarize themselves with the SR‑71’s unique handling before transitioning to the operational A version. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J58 turbo‑ramjets, the SR‑71B could cruise above 85,000 feet and exceed Mach 3.2, while its titanium airframe and blended wing‑body design minimized radar cross‑section and withstood extreme thermal stresses. Advanced avionics, including the AN/ASQ‑81 inertial navigation system and state‑of‑the‑art camera pods, gave the aircraft unparalleled intelligence‑gathering capability. Although only a handful were built, the SR‑71B proved essential in refining tactics that kept the SR‑71 fleet at the forefront of strategic reconnaissance for three decades. Its legacy endures as a benchmark for speed, altitude, and stealth, inspiring modern high‑performance platforms such as the U‑2, RQ‑4 Global Hawk and next‑generation hypersonic aircraft. The program’s operational secrecy and the aircraft’s iconic silhouette have cemented the SR‑71B as a symbol of American technological prowess and a benchmark for future aerospace engineering endeavors.

Lockheed Corporation

Lockheed SR-71B Blackbird

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Design & Classification