Why The Blackbird Is The Only Aircraft With An “SR” Designation

SR.

The SR-71 Blackbird is quite possibly the most secretive aircraft the world has ever known. Its unique design, engineering, and speed remain unchallenged by few aircraft after over 50 years. However, it also has a designation unlike any other aircraft, and there is an intriguing story behind the “SR-71” Blackbird.

(Photo by Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)

Created by aviation guru Kelly Johnson and the Lockheed division Skunkworks, the Blackbird was far ahead of its time. Developing the project in secrecy to prevent the Soviet Union from knowing of its existence. Skunkworks created an experimental stealth reconnaissance aircraft known as the A-12 and after refining the technology introduced the RS-71.

In 1964, as President Lyndon Johnson campaigned for reelection, he fell under criticism by his political rival Barry Goldwater. Goldwater claiming that America’s military technology was lagging behind the Soviet Union and President Johnson was at fault. With the Presidency at stake, Johnson forced his own hand and publically declassified the Blackbird program.

Lockheed-Martin

During this speech, President Johnson misspoke referring to the RS-71 as the “SR-71” Blackbird. However, to avoid President Johnson any embarrassment, the US Air Force changed the official designation from RS-71 to SR-71. They even went so far as to edit all the service manuals, republishing nearly 30,000 pages with the SR-71 designation.

(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Overall, the Blackbird’s name is defined by saying the letters in the wrong order. To summarize, this clip features the speech where the “SR-71” Blackbird receives its new designation from President Johnson.

Related Posts

The “New” B-52 Stratofortress, the B-52J or B-52K, is here (More Like New Engines)

According to Colonel Louis Ruscetta, the senior materiel leader of the B-52’s modernization program, the venerable strategic comber will be redesignated to either “B-52J” or “B-52K” once…

No vehicle has the same amount of power as the AV-8B Harrier II used by the US Marines.

The AV-8B was developed as a second-generation Harrier, primarily for the US Marine Corps. The Harrier II entered USMC service in 1984 and participated extensively in the…

The CH-53K King Stallion, the Marines’ most expensive helicopter, was delivered to the US Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps’ 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, stationed in New River, North Carolina, has taken possession of the new CH-53K King Stallion, the most powerful heavy-lift helicopter…

New “battle-winning” Apache assault helicopters for the British Army fly test missions

Fourteen models of the AH-64E Apache helicopter have so far been delivered to Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk, with 36 more due to arrive by summer 2024….

A very successful helicopter design from Germany is the Bo-105.

Bo-105 was the first light twiп-eпgiпe helicopter iп the world, aпd the first rotorcraft that coυld perform aerobatic maпeυvers sυch as iпverted loops. The Bo-105, a light…

It’s too great that the US has unveiled their newest VTOL helicopter.

Droпe, fighter jet, aпd helicopter, all iп oпe – this is the fυtυre of Αmericaп VTOL helicopters. Αt a time wheп world powers mυst be eveп more…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *