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The SR-71 Blackbird cruises above Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound).

It has set numerous speed and altitude records including the following

in chronological order :

 

May 01, 1965

Four Records Were Ser

 

Absolute Altitude: 80,257.86 ft (24,390 meters)... YF-12A # 60-6934

Crew: Col. Robert L. Stephens, Lt. Col. Daniel Andre 

Absolute Speed Over a Straight Course: 2,070.101 mph...YF-12A #60-6936

Crew: Col. Robert L. Stephens, Lt. Col. Daniel Andre

Absolute Speed Over a 500km Closed Course: 1,688.889 mph...YF-12A #60-6936

Crew: Maj. Walter F. Daniel, Maj. Noel T. Warner

Absolute Speed Over a 1,000km Closed Course: 1,643.041 mph... YF-12A #60-6936

Crew: Maj. Walter F. Daniel, Capt. James P. Cooney

 

 

September 01, 1974

 

SR-71A #61-17972

New York to London (World Record-Speed Over a Recognized Course): Distance: 3,461.53 statute miles...Time: 1hr 54 min 56.4 secs. Average Speed 1,806.95 statute mph. 

Crew: Major's James V. Sullivan, Pilot and Noel F. Widdifield, Reconnaissance Systems Operator

 

 

September 13, 1974

 

SR-71A #61-17972

London to Los Angeles (World Record-Speed Over a Recognized Course): Distance: 5,446.87 statute miles...Time: 3hrs 47min 39secs. Average Speed: 1,435.59 mph

Crew: Capt. Harold B. (Buck) Adams, Pilot, with Maj. William C. Machorek, Reconnaissance 
Systems Operator

 

 

Operation "Glowing Speed"

SR-71 World Record Speed and Altitude Flights

July 27-28 1976

 

In July of 1976, the United States set out to regain world speed and altitude records, some previously held by the Soviets in their Mig-25 Foxbat. These SR-71 Record Flights could have been flown at any time the Blackbirds were operational, however security classifications prevented previous attempts. Senator Barry Goldwater (D/Arizona) was instrumental in revealing to the World some of the capabilities of the SR-71. The three sorties were flown by  SR-71 Crews of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB in California. It should be noted that the Blackbird routinely flew operationally at these altitudes and speeds and that they do not reflect the full capabilities of the aircraft. Certainly, the SR-71 and the Blackbird "Habu" crews that flew these remarkable aircraft are in a class of one.

 

Operation  "High Flight"

 

Altitude in Horizontal Flight: 85,135, SR-71A. World Absolute and World
Class Altitude Record for Horizontal Flight - 85,135 feet, surpassing the previous record of 80,257 feet set by a Lockheed YF12A in June of 1965.

Crew:  Capt Robert C. Helt, Pilot and Major Larry A. Elliott, RSO.

 

Operation  "Fast Flight"

 

Speed Over a Straight Course (15-25km): 2,193.167 mph SR-71A. World Absolute and World Class

Speed Record over a 15/25 Kilometer Straight Course - 2,193.167 MPH surpassing the previous record set by a Lockheed YF12A Interceptor prototype in June 1965.

Crew:  Capt. Eldon W. Joersz, Pilot and Major George T. Morgan Jr., RSO

 

Operation  "Desert Trek"

(Two Records Set)

Speed Over a Closed Course (1000km): 2,092 MPH

World Absolute Closed Circuit Speed Record over a 1000 Kilometer Course 2,092 MPH, surpassing the previous Absolute Speed Record of 1853 MPH and the World Class Speed Record of 1815 MPH set by a Russian Mig-25 Foxbat in October, 1967.

Crew:  Major Adolphus H. Bledsoe, Jr., Pilot and Major John T. Fuller, RSO.

Pilot's flying the above record setting flights were awarded the De La Vaulx medal by the French. The De La Vaulx medal was created in 1933 to honor Comte De La Vaulx. Founder and past president of FAI (French Aeronautique Internationale), Comte De La Vaulx was killed in an air accident while on a mission for the Federation. The medal is awarded to individuals for establishing absolute world records for highest performance without regard to size of aircraft or powerplant. FAI is the governing body for official world aircraft records.

Editors Note:

The SR-71 is a Class C-1 Group III jet engine aircraft, the same as the Mig-25 FoxBat

 On November 20, 1965 an A-12 Blackbird exceeded Mach 3.2 and a sustained altitude of 90,000 feet. A stripped down, highly modified Soviet Mig-25 did break some of the Blackbirds records, however the SR-71 regained those records in July, 1976. Visit the Mig-25 page for more information:

"Mig-25 Foxbat Vs the SR-71 Blackbird"


 

Operation "Glowing Speed"
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"Desert Trek" Speed Record was set by Crew Bledsoe and Fuller on 27 July 1976. Record is for Speed-1000Km Closed Course. Speed was set at 2092 MPH.	"High Flight" Altitude Record was set by Crew Helt and Elliott on 28 July 1976. Record is for Altitude in Horizontal Flight. Altitude was set at 85,135 fee	"Fast Flight" Speed Record was set by Crew Morgan and Joersz on 28 July 1976. Speed Record over a 15/25 Kilometer Straight Course - 2,193.167 MPH
The Six Crewmembers that set the World Speed Records on 27 & 28 July 1976	Crewmembers Helt and Elliott receive their Blackbird Model for the "High Flight" Record of 85,135 feet. 28 July 1976	SR-71 RSO Morgan receives Blackbird Model after Setting "Fast Flight" record of 2,193 MPH.
Crewmembers Morgan and Joersz after "Fast Flight" sortie. Beale AFB 28 July 1976.	"Fast Flight" taxi in at Beale AFB 28 July 1976. Crew Morgan and Joersz.	Record Setters are congratulated by the Wing Commander. Kelly Johnson is 6th from right.
Crewmembers Joersz and Morgan deplane after "Fast Flight" 28 July 1976.	Crews receive Congratulations on Record Flights. Crewmembers Helt and Elliott on the right. SR-71 #958	Crews and family members. Photo taken after "High Flight". Pilot Helt is in the black pressure suit.
Crewmembers Joersz and Morgan after "Fast Flight" sortie. 28 July 1976.	Crewmembers Joersz and Morgan congratulate each other after "Fast Flight". 28 July 1976.	Pilot Helt after "High Flight" sortie. 28 July 1976.
Major G.T.Morgan after "Fast Flight" sortie. 28 July 1976.	Pilot Joersz and RSO Morgan after "Fast Flight" sortie. 28July 1976.	SR-71 pilots of the 1976 World Record Flights was named recipients of the De La Vaulx medal. September 09, 1977
Desert Trek, Fast Flight and High Flight routes flown on 27/28 July 1976	"Fast Flight" route flown on 28 July 1976	"High Flight" route flown on 28 July 1976
"Desert Trek" flight route flown on 27 July 1976

 

The Final Record Flight

 

March 06, 1990

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Lockheed's Ben Rich gives a thumbs up to Col's Ed Yeilding and J.T. Vida on their historic final flight to the Smithsonian.

SR-71  #61-17972

SR-71 #972 was officially retired from the United States Air Force on 6 March 1990. She flew across the USA setting four speed records and landed at Dulles Field in Washington D.C. The aircraft is currently in storage awaiting restoration and final display at the Dulles Field Museum scheduled to open in 2003. Pilot, Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding and RSO, Lt. Col. J.T. Vida were the crewmembers on this historic flight.

 

 

The following chart "New Record" data is not correct but is included on this web page to reflect the old records previously held prior to the SR-71 flight of 06 March 1990. This chart was released prior to confirmation of exact times/distances/speed as an unofficial aid to news reporters. The accurate and correct "New Record" data is on Chart #3 below and signed by V.A. Wright, Lockheed Advanced Development Corporation, dated April 15, 1990.
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Chart #1	Chart #2	Chart #3

 

 

SR-71A  #61-17972

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The SR-71

West Coast to East Coast of USA (National Record-Speed Over a Recognized Course): Coast to Coast Distance: 2,404.05 statute miles...Time: 1 hr 07 min 53.69 secs...Average Speed: 2,124.51 mph

Los Angeles To Washington D.C. (World Record): Distance: 2,299.67 statute miles...Time: 1 hr 04 min 19.89 secs...Average Speed: 2,144.83 mph

St Louis To Cincinnati (World Record): Distance: 311.44 statute miles...Time: 8 mins 31.97 secs...Average Speed: 2,189.94 mph

Kansas City To Washington D.C. (World Record): Distance: 942.08 statute miles...Time: 25 mins 58.53 secs...Average Speed: 2176.08 mph

Crew for above four records: Ed Yeilding and J.T. Vida

(Above data verified by Ed Yeilding on November 22, 2002)

 

 

Recap of All Blackbird Destinations and Records Set :

 

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1)  New York to London 1 hr 54 min 56.4 sec.

2)  London to Los Angeles 3 hrs 47 min 39 sec.

3) West Coast to East Coast USA 1 hr 7 min 53.6 sec.

4)  Los Angeles To Washington D.C. 1 hr 4 min 19.8 sec.

5)  St Louis To Cincinnati 8 min 31.9 sec.

6)  Kansas City to Washington D.C. 25 min 58.5 sec.

 

 

 

Source for Record Data: The Blackbird Auburn Files and "Lockheed SR-71 The Secret Missions Exposed", Author Paul F. Crickmore. Revised Edition Spring 1997, published by Osprey Aerospace. ISBN 1-85532-681-7

 

 

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