It flew near the edge of the atmosphere and was so fast that when it was finally picked up at that range by the less advanced radars of the time it would already have been out of the range of missiles. Things had cameras on board that were apparently capable of getting a good shot of a license plate from damn near the edge of space (in the 70’s!). I have read there were plans for a bomber version but apparently that didn’t come to be. It’s a shame none are still flying. NASA had a few they obtained and used for upper atmospheric research after the airforce and CIA were done with them, but flying and maintaining them is crazy specialized and expensive. The older U2 spyplanes were made for similar altitudes and found to be a much cheaper and more practical option for that purpose so the SR-71’s were retired.
I get that, but flying fast and high to avoid missiles is not stealth. I’m not saying it’s not the coolest airplane to ever exist… it’s just not stealth.
It flew near the edge of the atmosphere and was so fast that when it was finally picked up at that range by the less advanced radars of the time it would already have been out of the range of missiles. Things had cameras on board that were apparently capable of getting a good shot of a license plate from damn near the edge of space (in the 70’s!). I have read there were plans for a bomber version but apparently that didn’t come to be. It’s a shame none are still flying. NASA had a few they obtained and used for upper atmospheric research after the airforce and CIA were done with them, but flying and maintaining them is crazy specialized and expensive. The older U2 spyplanes were made for similar altitudes and found to be a much cheaper and more practical option for that purpose so the SR-71’s were retired.
I get that, but flying fast and high to avoid missiles is not stealth. I’m not saying it’s not the coolest airplane to ever exist… it’s just not stealth.