2023-07-17 -- SR-71 Blackbird

If I had to choose one technological marvel that truly pushes the boundaries of human ingenuity, it wouldn't be the iconic Saturn V (1) rocket that carried us to the Moon. While a monumental achievement, my top pick would be the Lockheed SR-71 (2) Blackbird.

This extraordinary aircraft, soaring through the skies from 1964 to 1999, was a behemoth: a 32-ton, 100-foot-long machine with an otherworldly shape straight out of a sci-fi film. Its unique design and incredible capabilities made it a legend.

The first time I laid eyes on the SR-71 Blackbird, it was perched atop the USS Intrepid (3), a silent sentinel of the skies. Before the museum's additions of the Space Shuttle (4) and Concorde (5), it was the undisputed star of the show.

Its unusual shape immediately caught my eye. My sister, a mechanical engineer, was quick to point out the aerodynamic design, explaining how the aircraft's body was engineered to expand at high speeds. It was a fascinating glimpse into the world of aviation.

Let's be honest, designing and building such a complex aircraft in the 1960s was a monumental task. There were no powerful computers to aid in CAD (6) or CAM (7) design. Even in the mid-80s, when I worked with Finite Element Analysis software for structural engineering, the technology was still in its infancy.

The engineers at Skunk Works (8) were not just brilliant minds; they were fearless pioneers. To create the SR-71 Blackbird, they pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible.

Let's break down the mind-boggling numbers:

A Limited Run of Excellence: Only 32 SR-71s variants were ever built.
Breaking the Sound Barrier: These aircraft flew a combined 17,300 times, logging over 53,000 hours, with a staggering 11,675 hours spent soaring at Mach 3 or faster.
Speed Demon: While commercial jets take about 5 hours to fly from Los Angeles to Washington D.C., the SR-71 could make the same trip in a mere 64 minutes and 20 seconds.

The SR-71 wasn’t designed for combat; its purpose was pure reconnaissance. Imagine the cutting-edge technology required to capture high-resolution images at such incredible speeds and altitudes.

To streamline operations, the SR-71 employed a clever design: a replaceable nose cone. After each mission, the cone with used film was swapped out for another cone with fresh film, minimizing downtime and ensuring the aircraft was always ready for its next flight.

I’ve been fortunate enough to witness many of these extraordinary aircraft firsthand. Even now, years later, I’m still captivated by their sheer audacity. If I hadn’t seen them with my own eyes, touched their cold metal skin, I’d have dismissed them as the stuff of science fiction. It’s hard to believe such a machine ever existed.

M-21 (one of the two A-12 test airplanes) in Museum of Flight (9), Seattle, WA

Pima Air (10) and Space Museum, Tuscan, AZ

National Museum of the US Air Force (11), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

March Air Reserve Base (12) , CA

Edwards Air Force Base (13), CA. The home to SR-71s and skunk Works

One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life was meeting the pilots, crew, support team, and test pilots of the SR-71 Blackbird in April 2017. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with the individuals who brought this legendary aircraft to life. I would gladly relive that moment again in a heartbeat.

I have a prized collection of SR-71 posters signed by the very people who flew and maintained these incredible machines. They're not just memorabilia; they're tangible connections to a bygone era of aviation history. I'm incredibly fortunate to own such valuable keepsakes.