Which member of the Blackbird family was the fastest, and which one reached the highest altitude?
The legendary SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft is recognized as the current record holder for the fastest jet-powered, manned plane ever.
The SR-71 was developed from the A-12 Oxcart, which was also a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft capable of Mach 3 speeds.
Another variant of the Blackbird, the YF-12 high-altitude interceptor capable of Mach 3 speeds, was created from the A-12 to counter supersonic bombers. The military never officially adopted the YF-12 as an operational aircraft. Nonetheless, the YF-12 served as a forerunner to the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft.
At this moment, one could question which member of the Blackbird family achieved greater speed and which one attained the highest altitude.
Linda Sheffield Miller, the daughter of Col. Richard (Butch) Sheffield and an SR-71 Reconnaissance Systems Officer, manages the Habubrats Facebook page and may hold some insights.
She explained:
“The A-12, also known as Oxcart, altitude, and speed are unofficial because the A-12 remained top-secret until 1982. Ken Collins, A-12 pilot and SR-71 pilot [who also flew with Col. Sheffield], has revealed an altitude of 94,000 feet!
“The maximum design cruise speed was Mach 3.2. Structural temperature restrictions limited the speed.
“The SR-71 flew faster than the rotation of the earth.”
She also listed the fastest-known flights:
- YF-12A (60-6936) – Mach 3.14 (2,070 mph), USAF, official, 1 May 1965
- SR-71B (61-7956) – Mach 3.27 (2,158 mph), NASA, unofficial, 14 December 1995 and 4 March 1997
- A-12 (60-6928) – Mach 3.29 (2,171 mph), CIA, unofficial, 8 May 1965
- SR-71A (61-7972) – Mach 3.32 (2,193 mph), USAF, official, 27 July 1976.”
How high could the Blackbirds fly?
“The Blackbirds were designed to fly as high as 90,000 feet but typically operated between 70,000 and 85,000 feet,” says Linda.
Highest known flights:
- YF-12A (60-6936) – 80,257 feet, USAF, official, 1 May 1965
- SR-71B (61-7956) – 84,700 feet, NASA, unofficial, 18 October 1994
- SR-71A (61-7972) – 85,068 feet, USAF, official, 27 July 1976
- SR-71A (61-7953) – 86,700 feet, USAF, unofficial, circa 1968
- A-12 (60-6932) – 90,000 feet, CIA, unofficial, 14 August 1965
The Blackbird’s remarkable velocity allowed it to gather intelligence in just a few seconds while flying over hostile territories. Due to these extraordinary flying abilities, the Blackbirds have achieved multiple speed and altitude records throughout their service.
Photo by Lockheed Martin and NASA
