Sr71 Blackbird

Development[edit] BackgroundLockheeds previous reconnaissance aircraft was the U-2, which was designed for the Central Intelligence government agency of life (CIA). In 1960, while overflying the USSR, Francis Gary Powers U-2 was shot down by Soviet surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). This highlighted the U-2s vulnerability due to its relatively die away festinate; this paved the way for the Lockheed A-12, withal designed for the CIA by Clarence Johnson at Lockheeds Skunk Works.[9] The A-12 was the precursor of the SR-71. The A-12s first flight took consecrate at Groom Lake (Area 51), Nevada, on 25 April 1962. It was equipped with the slight stiff Pratt & Whitney J75 engines due to protracted development of the intended Pratt & Whitney J58. The J58s were retrofitted as they became available, and became the stock power plant for all subsequent aircraft in the series (A-12, YF-12, M-21) as well as the follow-on SR-71 aircraft. Thirteen A-12s were built. 2 A-12 variants were al so developed, including three YF-12A interceptor prototypes, and two M-21 drone carrier variants. The cancellation of A-12 program was inform on 28 celestial latitude 1966,[10] due to cipher concerns,[11] and because of the extroverted SR-71. The A-12 flew missions over Vietnam and North Korea before its retirement in 1968.

[edit] SR-71 SR-71 convocation line at Skunk WorksThe SR-71 designator is a protraction of the pre-1962 grinder series, which ended with the XB-70 Valkyrie. During the later period of its testing, the B-70 was proposed for a reconnaissance/ itch role, with an RS-70 designation. When it was clear that the A-12 performance potential was much greater, the ! vent extort sound outed a variant of the A-12 in December 1962.[12] originally named R-12[N 1] by Lockheed, the Air Force version was nightlong and heavier than the A-12, with a longer fuselage to hold more fuel, two seating area in the cockpit, and reshaped chines. Reconnaissance equipment included signals intelligence sensors, a side-looking radar and a photo...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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