World Fastest Airplane - Lockheed SR 71 Blackbird
This bird is called Lockheed SR 71 Blackbird. Equipped with air-breathing engine. The top speed was recorded in 1976, which amounted to 1,905.81 knots (3,529.6 km / h), which is equal to 58.83 miles per minute. Even surface to air missiles could not catch Lockheed Blackbird, he had only accelerate.
Lockheed SR 71 was in service with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. Of the 32 aircraft built, 12 were lost in accidents not related to enemy action. From 1976 he held the world record as the fastest plane. Built aircraft were painted dark blue, almost black, to increase the emission of internal heat and act as camouflage against the night sky. Dark color led to the aircraft call sign Blackbird.
On most of the aircraft is limited to use of titanium, it is only in the components most prone to high temperatures, such as exhaust and the front edges of the wings. On SR 71 titanium was used for 85% of the structure with the other parts made of composite materials. It is possible to reduce the weight, thus increasing speed.
Flight at an altitude of 24.000 meters do not allow the use of standard masks, which could not provide enough oxygen above 13.000 m have been made special airtight protective helmets, which were also used on the space shuttles. Engine Pratt & Whitney J58-P4 was a significant innovation of his era – a unique hybrid, issuing 145 kN start push.
