Image source: topwar.ru
The SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Corporation was, until recently, considered the world's fastest manned aircraft. It made its first flight back in 1964, but was decommissioned in 1988. Then it was returned to service until 1998.
Now the company has prepared a worthy replacement for him – an unmanned SR-72 Darkstar aircraft. Some details about the air car were revealed by the publication Simple Flying. Although the development of the SR-72 is largely secret, certain details about it are still known.
The first flight of the SR-72 prototype was scheduled for 2023. But it is not yet very clear whether the plane will take to the air. After all, the command of the US Air Force has already stated that it has tested all future generations of combat aircraft, which should be put into operation by 2030.
Image source: topwar.ru
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
It is known about the promising aircraft that, unlike its predecessor, the SR-71, which was a purely reconnaissance aircraft capable only of observing and shooting objects, the SR-72 will be able to perform strike functions, that is, it will become a "reconnaissance fighter". The availability of strike capabilities will increase the competitiveness of the aircraft.
Talking about the possible armament of a promising aircraft, Lockheed said that it would be able to use hypersonic missiles. She did not give any other details. However, the United States currently lags far behind Russia and China in terms of hypersonic weapons.
Hypersonic weapons are only being developed in the United States, whereas both the Russian Federation and the PRC already have them and are in service. Therefore, a promising aircraft will be able to use hypersonic missiles only after the completion of development and the start of their production in the United States. It is unclear when this will happen. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that in the American version, hypersound often refers to something that does not actually achieve real hypersonic characteristics.
Nevertheless, NASA has already joined the development of the SR-72, which provided financing under a contract with a manufacturing company for the development of hypersonic engines. That is, the project still has certain prospects, and this cannot be denied, it follows from the publication of the publication.