Blog

Does the SR-71 leak fuel on the ground?

Does the SR-71 leak fuel on the ground?

If the SR-71 landed somewhere JP-7 fuel was not available, the Q-model tankers flew in with the fuel and, through the use of transfer hoses on the ground, were able to refuel the SR-71. Yes, the plane does leak fuel, but not enough to require refueling after takeoff.

Are any SR-71 still flying?

The SR-71 was last flown by NASA in 1999, which used two of the aircraft for high-speed and high-altitude aeronautical research. Since then, the surviving Blackbirds have all found their way into museums.

How long does it take to refuel an SR-71?

In contrast, SR-71 refuelings took fifteen minutes or more which could seem like an eternity. This time was needed because the airplane took on an incredible amount of fuel. During a normal refueling we usually received over 11,000 gallons.

What type of fuel did the SR-71 use?

Jet Propellant 7
But the SR-71 is finicky, demanding fuel three times as expensive as the type used in airliners. The Blackbird uses a vintage 1970 military specification called MIL-T 38219, or Jet Propellant 7 (“JP-7” to its friends).

Is the SR-71 faster than a bullet?

The SR-71 was also the fastest and highest-flying air-breathing, piloted aircraft ever built, flying at 90,000 feet (20,000 feet above the U-2) and at more than 2,100 mph—literally faster than a speeding bullet, as in Los Angeles to DC in 64 minutes.

What does SR-71 stand for?

Strategic Reconnaissance
The SR-71 designation has been attributed to lobbying efforts by USAF Chief of Staff General Curtis LeMay, who preferred the SR (Strategic Reconnaissance) designation over simply RS (Reconnaissance, Strategic). The aircraft was introduced to operational service in January 1966.

Is there a plane faster than the SR-71?

The iconic SR-71 Blackbird spy plane is known for being the official record holder for the fastest jet-powered, piloted aircraft of all time. However, there has actually been a legitimate, jet-powered, piloted aircraft that was faster than the SR-71, the A-12 Oxcart.

How fast can a SR-71 go around the world?

2,100 mph
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is the fastest jet aircraft in the world, reaching speeds of Mach 3.3–that’s more than 3,500 kph (2,100 mph) and almost four times as fast as the average cruising speed of a commercial airliner. Key elements of the SR-71’s design made this possible.

What is the range of an SR-71?

5,400 km
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird/Range

How much fuel does a SR-71 use?

The SR-71 Blackbirds used approximately 36,000–44,000 pounds (16,000–20,000 kg) of fuel per hour of flight.

What is faster than the SR-71?

How fast can an SR-71 fly around the world?

Why did the SR-71 have to refuel after takeoff?

Actually, most SR-71’s operational sorties started off with a refueling after takeoff.

What was the range of the SR-71 Blackbird?

The SR-71 would be a very short-ranged aircraft were it not for air refueling, limited to around 2,000 NM. Multiple air refuelings extended the range of the aircraft to the limits of crew endurance. Many missions have exceeded 12,000 NM.

What can NASA do with the SR-71?

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has completed a prelimi- nary performance analysis of the SR-71 aircraft for use as a launch platform for high-speed research vehicles and for carrying captive experimental packages to high altitude and Mach number condi- tions.

What is the maximum weight of a SR-71?

), and a total fueled weight of 13,700 lbm (6214 kg). The vehicle was intended to be py- lon-mounted on the back of the SR-71 aircraft between the vertical tails. The maximum allowable weight of the SR-71 aircraft is approx- imately 140,000 lbm (63,503 kg).