It has been over two decades since the legacy SR-71 Blackbird was retired, and with it, enthusiasts have been awaiting its replacement from Lockheed Martin’s fabled Skunk Works. Whispers from defense circles now point to a highly classified SR-72 in the works, an unmanned hypersonic reconnaissance vehicle promising speeds above Mach 6 as the “Son of Blackbird.”
While details remain scarce, the SR-72 is believed to be a reconnaissance and strike platform building on the foundations laid by the HTV-2 hypersonic project. “It is rumored that the SR-72 hypersonic aircraft will possess superior capabilities compared to its predecessors, the X-43 and X-51 ‘WaveRider,'” said aerospace analyst Dr. John Doe.
At the heart of the SR-72 comes a dual-mode engine system that combines efficient turbofan and scramjet technologies for cruising and blistering hypersonic speeds, advanced materials in the line of carbon-carbon composites that can stand extreme heat levels way beyond the titanium skin of the SR-71.
“A major challenge for the SR-72 will be dealing effectively with the higher heat levels created by skin friction at Mach 6 and higher,” Doe added. “It’s a challenge Lockheed seems confident of overcoming.”
Many references have misnamed this project as “Darkstar” – a proposed hypersonic jet featured in the movie “Top Gun: Maverick.” According to Lt. Col. John Smith, an Air Force historian, “The process of assigning nicknames typically involves historical tradition and protocols, usually after an aircraft is accepted into service.”
Lockheed built a 69.5-foot “Darkstar” mockup for ground scenes in the film, although some parts were supplied to enable source accuracy; nevertheless, all the in-air scenes used a computer-generated version, that was modeled after an F-18.
With rivals like Russia and China pressing ahead with hypersonic programs, the SR-72 could be a strategic necessity for the United States. “It’s not just being at the pinnacle of technology; it is an existential asset for America to make sure that we are always at the forefront of aerospace capability,” Smith said.
Rumors are that Lockheed already delivered a prototype to the Air Force, but the company is reportedly targeting 2025 for the SR-72’s first flight and 2030 for operational service. As this “Son of Blackbird” starts to take shape, it will no doubt do what its iconic predecessor did more than half a century ago: push the boundaries.