Why was the Blackbird discontinued?

RIP SR-71 Blackbird: Why the Air Force Did Away with the Fastest Plane Ever. Despite the aircraft’s incredible flight characteristics, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) retired its fleet of SR-71s on Jan. 26, 1990, because of a decreasing defense budget, high costs of operation and availability of sophisticated spy satellites.

Is the SR-71 obsolete?

During 1988, the USAF retired the SR-71 largely for political reasons; several were briefly reactivated during the 1990s before their second retirement in 1998. NASA was the final operator of the type, retiring their examples in 1999.

Why did the US stop using the SR-71?

Despite the aircraft’s incredible flight characteristics, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) retired its fleet of SR-71s on Jan. 26, 1990, because of a decreasing defense budget, high costs of operation and availability of sophisticated spy satellites. If the Sr-71 is reactivated today it can be shot down.

How much is an SR-71 Blackbird worth?

As James Hamilton-Paterson tells us in “Blackbird: A History of the Untouchable Spy Plane,” a single SR-71 cost “an astronomical $34 million (roughly $250 million apiece at today’s rates).” He finds the price tag unacceptably high, since the earlier U-2 spy plane cost only $1 million or so.

What replaced the Blackbird?

SR-72 plane
The high-speed SR-72 plane will replace the SR-71 Blackbird. Image courtesy of Lockheed Martin. The SR-72 aircraft will have the capability to perform high speed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

Did the SR-71 have weapons?

Originally, the Blackbird was built to be equipped with weapons but was converted into a reconnaissance plane when it was realized that the plane flew faster than a rifle bullet. In simple terms, it would have shot itself down. The premier reconnaissance plane, the SR-71 can photograph a license plate from 80,000 feet.

Is the u2 still in service?

But the 65-year-old Lockheed U-2 is still at the top of its game, flying missions in an environment no other aircraft can operate in. At 70,000ft and above, the “Dragon Lady” still has the stratosphere largely to itself, just as it did 65 years ago on its first flight.

Is the Blackbird still in service?

The SR-71 Blackbird was retired by the USAF in 1998, leaving what was considered a coverage gap between surveillance satellites, manned aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions.

What happened to the SR-71 Blackbird?

While the SR-71 delivered unparalleled performance, operating costs condemned the Blackbird to early retirement. Capable of cruising at speeds in excess of Mach 3.2, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft to ever to see operational service.

Can I use images of the SR-71 Blackbird in public domain?

Panoramic view inside the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page. Third party or legal restrictions may apply to your use of these images.

Why did the SR-71 cost so much money?

Because of the small number of jets built—thirty-two—and its unique design, the SR-71 was a maintenance hog. It also required a specialized logistical train—particularly for its exotic fuel—which cost $18,000 per hour in 1989 dollars.

Why did the Air Force retire the Blackbirds in 1990?

“The Air Force decision to retire the Blackbirds in 1990 is based on several factors. In congressional testimony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Larry D. Welch identified the increased survivability of reconnaissance satellites, SR-71 vulnerability to the Soviet SAM-5 surface-to-air missile and the cost of maintaining the SR-71 fleet.