3 replies to this topic

[inverse_bloom]

I’ve always looked at the SR 71 Blackbird in wonderment. It is still the fastest man driven (jet) powered aircraft in the world since the record was set in 1976. At that time it reached 2,193.16 mph (3,326.60 km/h) at Mach 3.3. Very Fast! The experimental (rocket) X15 was quicker at a speed of 4,520 mph (7,274) at Mach 6.72, it had a very limited flight range of 280 miles (450 km).

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2004...ages/x15_02.jpg

One can only wonder at how much it costs to maintain and operate these aircraft. The structural rigidity of the cross members between the two engines and along the long fuselage of the SR 71 is a marvel in itself. Look here is Jetfire from “Transformers 2” -

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1243/102646..._32ddc2db1b.jpg

The Concorde is another amazing aircraft. Although a Russian passenger jet was actually recorded to go marginally faster than the Concorde, its operation was very short lived. The Concorde remained in service for almost 20 years until its demise in 2003 (not only due to the crash impacting reputation, but also financial reasons). The average cruising speed of the Concorde was 1,330 mph (2,140 km/h) at Mach 2.02.

http://images.pingma...le/concorde.jpg

The Russian MiG-25 is considered the fastest fighter jet in the world recorded at 2,110 Mph (3,390 Kph) Mach 3.2 (but it was very high, thus slower than the SR 71).

http://gototheedge.f.../09/mig-251.jpg

Both the Russian MiG-25 and American SR 71 blackbird were developed in response to the cold war.

Edited by inverse_bloom, 11 December 2009 - 03:32 AM.

[Zeraelieus]

Have you heard of the rumored update to the SR-71, the Aurora? Traveling in excess of one mile per second, this aircraft boasts of the potential to go anywhere in the world in an hour. From your reference to the X-15 rocket, this is another form of a high altitude aircraft with speeds of over Mach 4. What fascinates me most is that the recently declassified aircraft only form the basis for the top-secret airplanes that will be released in the many decades to come. How unfathomable these aircraft are; I only wish I live to see the day when airplanes such as the SR-71 evolve into spacecraft.

[inverse_bloom]

Yeah i know what you mean i chose not to include the Aurora because it is only speculative, most likely true though. There are a couple more as well (not just the Aurora) which are mentioned on the net but again, nothing definite.

The X-15 was well known to reach space and then zoom back to earth again.

http://www.acepilots...af_yeager2.html

It also reminds me of stories involving Chuck Yeager and one of his flights in the X1-A, which made it to space.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Did_chuck_yeager...nto_outer_space

Perhaps the fact that the famous test pilot Chuck Yeager is still alive would make a good thread in itself.

Mmm... the SR-71 could never make it to space based on its engine type (jets which require air flow), but strap some rockets to a similar design yeah i'd like to see that day too.

Edited by inverse_bloom, 12 December 2009 - 06:21 AM.

[buxgoddess]

I have not seen a supersonic plane but the stories about these planes being used in military is often shown in the National Geographic channel. These are the technologies that are tested in the defense system and are in the rise. Some such planes are in the commercial lines as well but time will soon make the commercially available for all fliers.