Why was the SR-71 blackbird retired?
the mission for which it was designed no longer exists. you don't spend that kind of money flying and maintaining a plane just because it's cool. you do it because it serves a purpose. and for the sr-71, that purpose no longer exists. the u2 still has its uses, which is why they still fly them. they've even updated them with glass cockpits and stuff.
Why is the SR-71 blackbird so fast?
Its a combination of two things: a engine that stands in as a turbojet or a ram jet, depending on the speed needed, and a titanium skinned body that was built for speed. The engines are a special class by themselves: at slow speeds, the function as a normal jet engine, with a rotating compressor and turbine stage that provides normal thrust within its rotational limits. When they need the higher sustained speed, the engine compressor and turbine essentially stop: the shock cones adjust to provide the compressed air to the burn section that provides the thrust. It becomes the tube of a very efficient ramjet. Ramjets have no moving parts. no moving parts, no top end induced strain on the engine due to centrifugal force and heat issues. the skin had to be light, as its plane or wing area is actually enormous to maximize the amount of lift at higher altitudes where the air is thin. yes, it also helps with the heat issue, although some heat is allowed to absorb in the fuel to kinda pre-warm it for the ram jet. its wrinkled to allow for the expansion. titanium was chosen because of its high strength, low weight, and and its heat resistance. this aircraft used late 1950 to early 1960 technology's to solve a lot of problems. can you imagine what they could have done with the ceramics and thermoplastic or graphite composites we have today?
What does the SR in SR-71 Blackbird stand for?
It means Strategic Reconnaisance, but was orginally the RS-71, for Reconnaisnance Strike. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR-71_Blackbird
What are some movies with the SR-71 Blackbird in it?
D.A.R.Y.L. (1985) A pretty good little movie about a kid who may be more than meets the eye! He steals a Blackbird, with good effect(s).
The SR-71 Blackbird, which is 107 feet 5 inches long, is the world’s fastest airplane. It can fly at three tim?
The SR-71 Blackbird, which is 107 feet 5 inches long, is the world’s fastest airplane. It can fly at three times the speed of sound (Mach 3) at altitudes of 80,000 ft. When it lands after a long flight it is too hot to be touched for about 30 minutes, and is 6.0 inches longer than at takeoff. How hot is the Blackbird when it lands, assuming its coefficient of linear expansion is 24 x 10-6 K-1 and its temperature at takeoff is 23 °C?