SR-71 - Navy Challenge

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Subject: SR-71 - Navy Challenge

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.

When the sonic boom from an SR-71 at operational altitude was heard, the plane was already out of sight. In a famous challenge from the Navy, it asked the Air Force if it would provide the time and altitude passing a certain point so that the Navy could simulate a shoot-down of the plane.

The Air Force provided the coordinates, and the Navy's shoot-down was successful. The next day a newspaper article proclaimed that the Navy had successfully simulated a shoot-down of the SR-71.

The Navy requested another set of coordinates from the Air Force to repeat its success. The Air Force declined to provide the information unless the Navy's next press release said that the shoot-down was successful only with knowledge of where the Blackbird would be at a given moment. The Navy acquiesced.

SR-71 in flight