블랙버드 계열기가 일시적으로 기록한 최고 속도는 마하 3.56

[위종민]

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/former-usaf-master-sergeant-reveals-the-fastest-speed-ever-recorded-by-a-lockheed-blackbird/

A12가 에이리어51에서 시험비행 도중 외기온도가 너무 높아 마하 2.7을 쉽게 넘지 못해 마하 3.0을 넘기 위해 기수를 살짝 내렸더니 good air를 만나 마하 3.56까지 가속했다고 합니다. 

이전엔 가데나 공군기지에서 이륙해 마하 3.43으로 가속하다 엔진이 폭발했던 블랙버드 #61-17974 "Ichiban"의 기록이 최고속 기록으로 알려졌었다고 하네요. ( https://theaviationgeekclub.com/ichiban-wreckage-the-story-of-how-sr-71-blackbird-61-7974-was-recovered-and-buried-at-sea/ ) 

벤 리치의 말에 의하면 공기흡입구의 sweet spot은 마하 3.24였다고 합니다. 

• Aviation History
• Cold War Era
• Military Aviation
• SR-71 Blackbird
• SR-71 Top Speed

Former USAF Master Sergeant reveals the Fastest Speed ever Recorded by a Lockheed Blackbird

By Linda Sheffield Miller

Apr 8 2023

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A-12 pilot Jim Eastham dropped the nose down a bit to see if he could at least reach Mach 3.0. Out of nowhere, Jim hit good air and in the dive with good air he red lined everything.

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The A-12 Oxcart Mach 3 spy plane unique design and characteristics became the foundation for three other versions of supersonic aircraft that Lockheed built for CIA and the USAF: the YF-12A, the M-21, and the SR-71.

In October 1962, the USAF ordered the development of dedicated variant of the Oxcart to replace the cancelled F-108A Rapier. The modified A-12, first designated the AF-12 and then the YF-12A. Only three YF-12As were built and delivered during 1963-64.

According to The SR-71 Blackbird website, in the same month and in the same year, CIA authorized the Skunk Works to study the feasibility of modifying the A-12 to carry and deploy a reconnaissance drone for unmanned overflight of denied areas. The project was codenamed TAGBOARD. The mother ship, redesignated the M-21 to avoid confusion with the A-12, was fitted with a second seat for a launch control officer (LCO) for the drone, called the D 21. But since on the fourth TAGBOARD test on Jul. 30, 1966, a launch mishap caused the mother ship to crash, killing LCO Ray Torick, Kelly Johnson ended the program.

However, the best known version of the A-12 (right) is the SR 71 Blackbird (left), whose nickname has become eponymous with the entire set of Oxcart variants. With the added weight, the aircraft flew slower and lower than the A-12 or the YF-12A, but it carried more fuel and had a longer range.

When talking about the Lockheed Blackbird family probably the most frequently asked Blackbird question is-how how fast does it really fly?

“I’ve answered this question before, but here goes,” says Jim Goodall, former Master Sergeant at U.S. Air Force and author of the book Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird: The Illustrated History of America’s Legendary Mach 3 Spy Plane. “The fastest an SR-71A has ever gone is Mach 3.43 in 974 [Blackbird #61-17974, better known as “Ichi-Ban”], at the time, a Site II bird. It blew out both inlets as it had a dual unstart.”

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. SR-71A Blackbird 61-7972 “Skunkworks”

Goodall continues.

“Ben Rich told me that the inlets were designed to fly at its “Sweet Spot” of Mach 3.24. All manned Blackbirds from the A-12 through to the last SR-71 built were and designed to all fly at the same top speed.

“But during early flight testing at Area 51 with the A-12s, Jim Eastham told me that A-12 #128 flew as fast as any A-12 during testing. On the particular day that the A-12 red lined everything.

“During a routine top speed envelope expansion flight, A-12 #128 was having a hard time getting past Mach 2.7 as the outside air was too warm. The reason for the flight test card that day was to validate a new inlet bypass door schedule.

“Jim said he dropped the nose down a bit to see if he could at least reach Mach 3.0. Out of nowhere, Jim hit good air and in the dive with good air he red lined everything. He went into his descent profile and headed back to the test site.”

Goodall concludes:

“When all was said and done; and for a very brief 15 seconds, Jim hit Mach 3.56, or just under 2,400 mph. Mind you, this was a one-time event and was never duplicated.”

Be sure to check out Linda Sheffield Miller (Col Richard (Butch) Sheffield’s daughter, Col. Sheffield was an SR-71 Reconnaissance Systems Officer) Facebook Pages Habubrats and Born into the Wilde Blue Yonder for awesome Blackbird’s photos and stories.

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[Minowski(김유철)]

저 기록이 60년간 깨지지 않을 거라는 걸 켈리 존슨은 상상이나 했으려나요.

[위종민]

유인기 기준 앞으로도 60년 동안 깨질 지 의심도 됩니다.

[백선호]

마하 3.56이면 SA-2의 envelope 위로 넘어서 가네요.

http://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/515G/2585

[위종민]

2400mph를 km/s로 바꿔보니 1.07km/s네요. 15초만에 16km를 이동하는 속도 ㄷㄷㄷ

[백선호]

마하 3으로 SA-2/3/5/6은 뿌리쳐도 SA-10/12/20/21/23 상대로는 마하 6은 나와야 한다는 얘기가 있습니다.

https://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/515G/2100

[엽군]

그래서 속도로는 방어체계 돌파에 한계가 생기는 것이 현실 아닐지.