The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a visitor favorite at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Lieutenant Colonel Ed Yeilding ...

Summary and Key Points You Need to Know: The SR-71 Blackbird, capable of cruising at speeds exceeding Mach 3.2, was the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft ever to serve operationally. -Despite ...

During its operational lifetime, the SR-71 provided intelligence about the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, the American air forces’ raid on Libya in 1986, and ...

The SR-71’s chances were further hurt, Sheffield wrote, because the Air Force “did not use the data collected by the SR.” Instead, “the users were the Navy, Army, DIA, and a little bit ...

In 1976, reconnaissance officer George Morgan, left, and pilot Eldon "Al" Joersz set the world aviation speed record in an Air Force SR-71 Blackbird spy jet. Their record -- 2,193 mph -- still stands.

Its ability to outrun surface-to-air missiles made it invaluable for reconnaissance. The SR-71's legacy endures as a symbol of innovation and daring.

The SR-71 Blackbird is one of the United States' most recognizable and iconic aircraft. Its design is impressive, and while the U.S. only built 32, it remains a favorite of hobbyists and enthusiasts.

The museum houses iconic aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat, made famous by Top Gun, the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest air-breathing aircraft, and a micro jet seen in a James Bond film.