SR-71 Blackbird

The SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, advanced reconnaissance aircraft developed by the United States during the Cold War. It was designed for high-speed, high-altitude flight, capable of reaching speeds over Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound) and altitudes above 85,000 feet. Its unique aerodynamic shape and advanced materials made it difficult to detect by radar. The SR-71 gathered vital intelligence by flying over hostile territories, thus avoiding interception. Operational from the 1960s until the late 1990s, its innovative technology laid the groundwork for future aircraft and continues to influence aerospace design.