Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

The SR-71 Blackbird, developed by Lockheed's Skunk Works division, was a high-speed, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft primarily used by the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Navy utilized its reconnaissance capabilities indirectly through intelligence sharing. Designed for strategic surveillance missions, the SR-71 was critical in gathering intelligence during the Cold War.

First flown in 1964 and retired in 1998, the SR-71 operated with a two-person crew consisting of a pilot and a reconnaissance systems officer. It could reach speeds over Mach 3 and altitudes exceeding 85,000 feet. The aircraft was unarmed, relying on speed and altitude to avoid threats rather than carrying weapons.

Although not operated directly by the Navy, the SR-71's intelligence was essential for naval planning and operations. Its rapid data collection over hostile territory supported real-time decision-making and mission preparation, enhancing maritime situational awareness during tense geopolitical periods. The SR-71 remains the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft ever built. Its airframe would expand in flight due to extreme heat, leaking fuel on the ground until it reached operational speed.