Credit: NASA
Having entered service in 1964, the SR-71 remains the fastest air breathing, manned aircraft. Ever. At an altitude of 87,000 feet (16.5 miles, 26.5 kilometres), the pilot could see the curvature of the Earth & the blackness of space. Faster than a bullet, the SR-71 flew too high & too fast to be threatened by fighters or missiles.
At Mach 3 it had a turn radius of 100 miles (160 kilometres).
Interestingly, it is claimed that the SR-71 is the only plane that used less fuel the faster it travelled.
Stories from SR-71 pilots:
http://www.twinturbo.net/nissan/300zx/forums/general/view/1116764/Humor-Man-Ive-been-stressed-badlythis-broke-it.html
Video of SR-71 Blackbird:
http://youtu.be/vpVT5Lr0BbI
Longer video (47 minutes)
http://youtu.be/kn6CgKEuB-M / sr71 plane air plane aeroplane photograph aerial surveylance pilot photograph photography Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird advanced long range long-range Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft development develop developed black project Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft Skunk Works division Clarence Kelly Johnson design designing designer design's innovative concepts reconnaissance missions SR-71 operated operate operation high speeds altitude altitudes outrace threats surface-to-air missile launch detected standard evasive action accelerate outfly missile serve served U.S. Air Force Habu world record fastest air breathing air-breathing manned aircraft /
