SR-71 Blackbird on display at the Steven F. Udzar-Hazy Center in Virginia

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The SR-71 "Blackbird" was the fastest and highest-flying operational manned reconnaissance aircraft throughout its career, from 1957-1999, with speeds in excess of Mach 3. Using radar-absorbing materials in its design, and cesium-based fuel additives to reduce exhaust plumes visible to radar, the "Blackbird" utilized early stealth technology. If a surface-to-air missile launch were detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile, and no "Blackbirds" were ever shot down.

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Size: 4480px × 2520px
Location: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA, USA
Photo credit: © Tricia Toms / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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