SR-71 - Cancellation

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Subject: SR-71 - Cancellation

Edited by David Barth, November 21, 2008

SR-71 two-cockpit trainer version in flight.
There were three models: SR-71B (two of these) and
one SR-71C which is on display at Hill AFB.

It appears that this picture was taken by the boom operator of a KC-135Q tanker because the boom receptacle is still open as though the boom has just been pulled out and because the wet streaks on the wings are probably JP-7 fuel that came out of the boom when it was removed. Notice that after tanking, the SR is breaking off to the left to clear the tanker and either begin an acceleration climb, probably to Mach 3+ and 80,000+ feet or to head to the base at Beale AFB. The mountains could be those of the California Sierras.

SR-71 in flight. This is the reconnaissance version
of which 29 were built.

It appears that this picture was also taken by the boom operator of a KC-135Q tanker because the boom receptacle is still open as though the boom has just been pulled out and because the wet streaks behind the boom receptacle on the wings are probably JP-7 fuel that came out of the boom when it was removed. Notice that after tanking, the SR is breaking off to the left to clear the tanker and probably begin an acceleration climb, probably to Mach 3+ and 80,000+ feet.

SR-71 aircraft, perhaps at Groom Lake (Area 51)
where the prototypes were test flown.

From Left: SR-71, KC135Q tanker that carried the special
JP-7 fuel, U2, and a T-38 used by SR-71 pilots to maintain their
flying skills and as a chase plane when an SR-71
was low and slow in the immediate area.

SR-71 at a corrugated steel Quonset revetment.

SR-71 tanking.
Taking on a full fuel load took about 15 minutes.

One reason for canceling the SR-71 program was because it was believed that satellites could provide the same information at a lower cost. However, Congress soon learned that the SR-71 was much more flexible than satellites. This resulted in the temporary reactivation of the SR-71 in the 1990's to do what the satellites could not.

Eventually, enough satellites were orbited and finally, the Air Force SR-71 program was killed for ever. Actually, some of the planes were turned over to the CIA which operated them for a while.

SR-71 in flight