The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is, to date, the fastest airplane ever to streak across the sky, even though it's more than 30 years old. Capable of speeds over 2200 miles per hour -- that's more than three times the speed of sound -- the SR-71 can fly at altitudes above 80,000 feet. What does it feel like to travel at Mach 3, 15 miles above the earth? Pilots report that, with no view out the window, there's an eerie sensation of motionlessness when cruising in the Blackbird.
To fly safely in this harsh, low-pressure environment pilots must wear a full-pressure suit for protection. Even though the temperature outside the aircraft hovers around -70 degrees F, the sheer friction of flying at Mach 3 heats the leading edges of the SR-71 to 800 degrees F. To help withstand this kinetic heat, the Blackbird's airframe is built almost entirely of titanium and is finished in a special heat-emitting black paint, which helps to cool the aircraft and gives it its nickname.
The SR-71 can operate for about an hour at top speed before it needs refueling -- a feat that can be accomplished in mid-air with a special tanker aircraft. The Blackbird is powered by two Pratt and Whitney J-58 axial-flow turbojets with afterburners, each producing about 34,000 pounds of thrust. Studies have shown that when the aircraft is cruising at Mach 3 or above only about 25 percent of the total thrust is produced by the engines themselves. The balance is produced by the unique design of the engine inlet and housing, which is equipped with special afterburners.
The two-seat SR-71 was developed in the early 1960s by the U.S. Air Force as a strategic reconnaissance aircraft. The first flight of an SR-71 was in 1964 at a classified location in Nevada. The aircraft's first operational "sortie" was flown out of Okinawa, Japan in 1968. Most of the SR-71 fleet has now been retired, except for two Blackbirds currently on loan to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center where the aircraft are being used as "test beds" for high altitude research.
2007-09-10 00:03:35
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answer #1
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answered by Alien 4
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Do you people not read the question, 'Do not include Space Shuttle' neither does he specify Passenger Airliner - Therefore Concorde is incorrect aswell. Infact the real answer as stated is The SR71 Blackbird which can travel at Mach 3.2 - 2,200 (Although very often did it travel at such a speed as the aircraft became very unstable) therefore normaly used to travel at Mach 3.0.
The SR-71 is the fastest aircraft that has been declared. There have been rumors of such an aircraft called 'Aurora' which has been said to be an Hypersonic aircraft that can travel at Mach 5.0+. The Aurora was said to be developed as an replacement for the SR71 which isn't operational anymore. However they can be seen at museums, Duxford, UK & Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, USA.
Hope this helps,
Mike
2007-09-10 02:19:38
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answer #2
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answered by Michael B 2
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For kids, I would pack a little backup of things. Little toys, coloring books, crayons, colored, pencils, etc. Take some activity books, video games, comic books, magazines. You can also run a search online. There are lots of sites that have games that you can take on plane trips, most of these are free. Also search Amazon or a local store for books with activities for the plane trip. You could also buy a cheap camera or some disposable cameras and let him take pictures of whatever he wants. This way he can document the trip as he goes and will always remember it. A DVD player and videos would be great for the whole family, depending on how the seating is set up. I always take my laptop with me, it doesn't way anymore than a portable DVD player and the screen is larger. Then I can play computer games if I want, write a story, plan my vacation, start a journal for the trip, all kinds of things. Then your child could use it as well. Music is also good to take a long, books, magazines, portable electronic games like scrabble. I also think the plane ride is a good time to get to know your destination a little better. Take some travel books along with you (you could borrow from the library if you don't want to buy them). Look them over, try and find things you want to do, where you are going to eat, learn more about the places you plan to go, etc. Bring along the camcorder and camera to document the trip so you will always remember it. This way you can make movies and/or a scrapbook of your vacation. There are also games you can play. One example would be the alphabet game. Where you have to name an item for each letter in the alphabet. Then you all play. First person says apple, second person says apple, beach ball, third person says apple, beach ball, camera. Then it goes on and on until you don't remember everything. You are out once you skip something or can't remember, then the last person wins. Take some foods and things to help pass the time, it's always fun to eat. This is just a few ideas. There are lots of things to do, but this could get you started. I hope this helps Have a great trip!
2016-04-04 00:06:28
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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SR -71 Blackbird. It is capable of reaching speeds over Mach 3. That is pretty fast for a 1960's era aircraft. Makes you wonder what we have now that the government doesn't tell us about.
2007-09-10 00:42:28
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answer #4
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answered by Kevin D 1
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Rocket powered aircraft have the fastest acceleration but no duration.The fastest jet turbine aircraft is the lookheed spyplane ,they built in the 60s ,and the fastest piston aircraft is twin engine version mustang in 1945.
2007-09-10 01:38:03
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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The fastest passenger aircraft ever built was 'The Concorde', It is an anglo-french venture, and it was a technical success.
2007-09-10 00:17:00
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answer #6
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answered by wizard of the East 7
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X-43 (Unmanned), Mach 9.8, 110,000 feet max altitude
X-15 (manned), Mach 6.72, 354,200 feet max altitude
The X-15 is the fastest manned aircraft in the world.
2007-09-10 00:05:32
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answer #7
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answered by raindrops 5
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Now are you all ready for the correct answer? Remeber, it does plane the air. The space shuttle.
2007-09-10 00:17:05
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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I nominate the Space Shuttle. Although it is technically a glider, it remains an aircraft.
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2007-09-10 00:32:28
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answer #9
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answered by Robert L 7
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Its X-43 Hyper-X of course.................
But it does not have a crew. This has made a toppest Mach@9.6 (i.e.) 7000 mph. The second fastest aircfaft is X-15.
The latter has a human crew.
2007-09-10 00:20:31
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answer #10
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answered by Vijay 2
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