Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

A long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft, the Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" is still regarded as the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft. Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, a record previously held by the related Lockheed YF-12.

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Operated by the USAF it was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. During aerial reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile. The shape of the SR-71 was based on the A-12 which was one of the first aircraft to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section.

The SR-71 served with the US Air Force from 1964 to 1998 but spy satellites and the increasingly fast missiles used by Russia made the aircraft obsolete. Of the 32 aircraft built, 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action. The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including "Blackbird" and "Habu".

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