The US Air Force is developing an incredible hypersonic spy plane in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. An aircraft capable of flying so fast as to make it practically impossible for enemy radar to intercept it. With an estimated maximum speed of Mach 7 (8.643 km/h), the SR-72 will be capable of reaching any point on the globe in a few hours, taking very high resolution photos or gathering intelligence information.
A worthy successor to the Blackbird
The SR-72, as the name suggests, is the direct descendant of the iconic SR-71 Blackbird, which entered service in the late 60s and was retired by the USAF in 1998. Just like its predecessor, nicknamed “Blackbird”, the new aircraft will be called “Son of Blackbird”.
The SR-72, as mentioned, will mainly be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, taking advantage of its hypersonic speed to escape modern anti-aircraft defenses.
The rebirth of the spy plane
The SR-71 Blackbird was capable of flying at just over 3.000 km/h, a speed that allowed it to conduct complex missions without being detected by enemy radar. However, the advent of spy satellites, capable of providing clearer images and conducting more discreet espionage operations, had led to its withdrawal. Now, with the changed geopolitical context, the US administration seems to have rediscovered the usefulness of reconnaissance aircraft, giving the go-ahead to the SR-72 project, until recently known as “Aurora”.
Of course, the exact specifications of the SR-72 are still top secret, but rumors suggest extraordinary performance. The aircraft is expected to be capable of flying at an altitude of 20.000 meters, and its first flight is scheduled for 2025, with entry into service by 2030.
And the crew?
Which crew? Unlike the SR-71, which required a crew of two, the SR-72 will be a fully autonomous aircraft, with no pilots on board. A choice that reduces risks for personnel, but also allows the aircraft's performance to be pushed to the limit without having to take human physiological limits into account.
Furthermore, the SR-72 could be equipped with the new HSSW (High Speed Strike Weapon) hypersonic weapon developed by Lockheed Martin, expanding its operational capabilities. If the rumors prove accurate, this extraordinary aircraft could truly represent a paradigm shift in the world of aerial reconnaissance, opening new frontiers for intelligence and surveillance operations.
