SR-71 - Ceiling



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Subject: SR-71 - Ceiling

Edited by David Barth, November 21, 2008

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


SR-71
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
SR-71 at a corrugated steel Quonset revetment.


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


The original published maximum operational ceiling for the SR-71 was 82,000 feet, not much more than the U-2 that flew at 70,000 feet. To put it into perspective, airliners don't fly above 43,000 feet, and some Learjets are certificated to fly at 50,000 feet.

If the maximum ceiling of the SR-71 seems a bit distorted, for a billion dollar, high-tech, 2,000 mph aircraft, it is. Later reports noted that the initial altitude of the SR-71, with a full load of fuel following a "tank" from a special tanker that carried only SR-71 JP-7 fuel, was 95,000 feet, with the aircraft ascending to as high as 98,000 feet as fuel burned off.

During the SR-71 era, an air traffic controller in Denver reported to his manager a contact flying at approximately 100,000 feet as shown on his altitude radar. His manager told him it was a classified flight and the altitude was top secret.

SR-71 in flight
SR-71 in flight