When talking about the “Blackbird family,” probably the most frequently asked Blackbird question is how high and how fast it really flies. But what about the slowest speed ever recorded by a Blackbird?
The SR-71, informally called the “Blackbird,” is a long-range, advanced strategic reconnaissance aircraft derived from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A programs.
No other reconnaissance aircraft in history has flown through more dangerous airspace or with such freedom from interference as the SR-71 Blackbird. It remains the fastest aircraft ever powered by air‑breathing engines. The Blackbird’s capabilities and record of operations put it at the very peak of aviation technology during the Cold War era.
The Blackbird was engineered to cruise at speeds above Mach 3—more than three times the speed of sound, or over 2,200 miles per hour—and at altitudes reaching 85,000 feet.
When talking about the “Blackbird family,” probably the most frequently asked Blackbird question is how high and how fast it really flies. As you may recall, we have already addressed this question. But what about the slowest speed ever recorded by a Blackbird?
‘I was flying the SR-71 out of RAF Mildenhall, England, with my backseater, Walt Watson. We were returning from a mission over Europe and the Iron Curtain when we received a radio transmission from home base,’ remembers Brian Shul, former SR-71 Blackbird pilot, in his book Sled Driver.
Rex Lowe, a former USAF Staff Sergeant, explains what happened later on Quora.
‘The aircrew was asked to make a low-level pass of a British airfield where cadets were training. Having difficulty actually sighting the field, though navigation was dead on, the pilot, Brian Shul, realized the aircraft was below the advertised flying airspeed; he lit the burners and darted off. The backseater later indicated a slow speed of 155 knots; the pilot saw 152 knots, or 175 mph. The aircraft at that point was gently floating down; control certainly would have been lost completely had not Shul firewalled the throttles.’
This was likely the slowest speed ever achieved by a Lockheed Blackbird. After they landed, however, Shul and Watson were called in by their commander. Shul recalls what happened next.
‘We were both certain he was reaching for our wings. Instead, he heartily shook our hands and said the commander had told him it was the greatest SR-71 flypast he had ever seen, especially how we had surprised them with such a precise maneuver that could only be described as breathtaking. […] Walt and I both understood the concept of “breathtaking” very well that morning and sheepishly replied that they were just excited to see our low approach.’
Photo courtesy of Robin Harbour
