The SR-72 is better known as the “Son of Blackbird” or “Darkstar”; it’s a hypersonic successor to the so-famous plane, the SR-71 Blackbird. Hailing from the houses of Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, the SR-72 is for missions of surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance. Capable of flying at hypersonic speeds over Mach 5.0, this spy plane will become its hypersonic successor. That will enable the SR-72 to penetrate heavily defended airspaces and evade modern air defenses critical capability as tensions between the U.S. and Russia push the global race for advanced military technologies into high gear.
Although retired, the SR-71 Blackbird still holds the record of being the fastest manned aircraft ever built. The Blackbird was designed in secret during the 1950s and 1960s, capable of flying near the edge of space and outrunning missiles through advanced metallurgy and electronics. The key motive for the development of the SR-71 was basically to acquire photographic intelligence over the Soviet Union, hence it was designed to fly at 70,000 feet a height above Soviet air defenses. Its best defense was its speed and altitude, against which surface-to-air missiles could hardly catch up.
The SR-72 will fly faster and harder than its predecessor. The hypersonic UAV, scheduled to fly in 2025, is supposed to reach speeds exceeding Mach 5.0. According to Lockheed’s program manager Brad Leland, “Hypersonic aircraft, coupled with hypersonic missiles, could penetrate denied airspace and strike at nearly any location across a continent in less than an hour.” That speed is considered the next significant leap in aviation against emerging adversaries.
If it’s going to live up to that promise, the SR-72 is going to need one heck of an engine. The old Blackbird had the Pratt & Whitney J58 turbojet, sometimes called a “turboramjet.” Its progeny, Son of Blackbird, will have to have an even better propulsion system if those hypersonic velocities are to be reached.
As tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to rise, the competition for next-generation capabilities is greatly heating up. The USAF and PLAAF are working on their sixth-generation fighter and bomber programs, respectively, as Moscow advances its hypersonic technologies. If U.S. national security is to be served, the SR-72 has to be built on time.
For related news, the Air Zoo just hosted its SR-71 Spy-Posium, where crew and fans of the SR-71B Blackbird came together. The event included panel discussions, tours, and the Blackbird Affair, a fundraising event with ticket purchases required, allowing an intimate visit with the iconic aircraft. Those who attended had the rare chance to sit in the cockpit and hear from Blackbird pilots and crew members firsthand.
Hot on the heels of the announcement by COBI, a model set is revealed for both aviation enthusiasts and model builders alike: an SR-71 Blackbird. This 1:48-scaled model has been made from 1379 high-quality blocks with detachable landing gear, movable wing ailerons, and an opening cockpit. The set includes a figure of a USAF pilot and a NASA pilot, attired in suits designed for high-altitude flights. The model will be available in early October and will offer a very detailed and satisfying building experience both for collectors and hobbyists.