National Air and Space Museum Image Detail

SR-71 Blackbird at Dulles Storage Facility

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird outside its storage hangar at Washington Dulles International Airport. Designed and built in the 1960s, the SR-71 Blackbird remains the fastest jet-propelled aircraft ever built. The Blackbird is capable of flying more than 2200 mph (Mach 3+, or more than three times the speed of sound) and at altitudes of over 85,000 feet. On its final flight, this Blackbird set a transcontinental speed record when it flew from the west coast to the east coast in 68 minutes and 17 seconds.

Image Number: SI92-14090
Credit: Photo by Mark Avino
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