Jinxter13 Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 A link in another thread took me to a site and one of the other articles was about the record setting Blackbird crew reuniting, in the article the pilot I suppose says that when they set the record they didn't go all out, they only did enough to set the record and let it go at that really?. 2,193 mph and that wasn't with the throttle firewalled....jeeez just how fast could that long sleek awe inspiring sinister looking aircraft (on the ground) really go,I realize there are still secrets to/of the SR-71 that we don't know and will not at least within my lifetime; is it possible that Kelly Johnsons' greatest creations' true top speed be some where close to Mach 4 or 4+. IIRC it was said that due to structural limitations the crews weren't allowed to take it into some regimes to prevent damage from heat; at certain points like where the vertical stabs and engine nacelles met; inflight the temp got as high as 1080 degees F. C'mon Lockmart tell us just how fast could Habu really go . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adamitri Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 When I was in the Air Force, my 1st Sgt was with the SR-71 program at one point. He would only say Mach 3.3+ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
avnav Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 The operating manual has been declassified for some time now. The design Mach limit was Mach 3.2. With the Commander's authorization the aircraft could be flown at Mach 3.3 as long as the Compressor Inlet Temperature didn't exceed 427 degrees C. http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/manual/5/5-8.php Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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