Quote:
Originally Posted by Llarry
Lockheed built an airplane that was faster and flew higher than the famed SR-71A Blackbird: That airplane was the original single-seat A-12 version built for the CIA as Project Oxcart.
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Here are a few interesting facts about the A-12 and subsequent SR-71 Blackbird:
The plane was so ahead of its time, yet it was entirely developed using a slide rule - no computers.
In order to withstand the extreme temperatures of flight, it was determined that only one metal would work: titanium. Only problem? The world's biggest supply of titanium existed in Russia. SO, the CIA set up a dummy corporation in Europe and we BOUGHT the titanium from Russia - remember, the original mission of the spy plane was to fly over Russia.
Speaking of flying over Russia - why did we never fly over that country? Because of the shooting down of Gary Powers. After that incident, it was deemed way to risky and potentially embarrassing for the United States to ever have that happen again.
The jet used a system called the "ANS" that calibrated itself to within 300 feet of the centerline of its flight path by looking at 2 to 3 stars in the sky, and was incredibly accurate. No GPS back then.
The plane was never designed to contain offensive weapon capabilities...but it did have counter-measures to defeat enemy radar and missiles.
Shortly after taking off, the jet had to be refueled. Why? Well, we all know it leaked fuel on the tarmac (and then at speed it self-sealed due to the expanding metals) but that's not why...it was because it had to take off at a reduced fuel weight due to the maximum weight rating of the tires. Once airborne, it could take on a full fuel load.
Last one - yes - it could fly faster than a fired bullet from a hunting rifle.