SR-71 Blackbird with Sunset

Plane Type: YF-12


An aircraft that needs no introduction, the SR-71 is an icon of aviation. Developed from the YF-12 seen in this photo, high speed, high altitude interceptor, the SR-71 Blackbird is known for its high performance. The SR-71 Blackbird operated at altitudes of up to 90,000 feet and speeds over 2000 MPH. The airplane was painted all black to help dissipate the intense heat generated at those speeds. The SR-71 Blackbird is also designed to stretch a bit due to the thermal expansion created from the intense heat generated at high speeds. Used extensively on spy missions during the Cold War, the Blackbird was the fastest and highest-flying manned aircraft ever built. SR-71s were retired from Air Force service in 1997, but several were flown by NASA for research purposes until 1999.