The SR-71 ÒBlackbird'sÓ unique design evolved from the challenges of meeting the operational goal of operating beyond the range of interception in both speed and altitude. In 1976, more than ten years after its first flight the SR-71 set two world records for its class with a speed of 2,193.167 mph and an altitude of 85,068.997 feet.

Photo by Bob Nelson on Thursday, August 11, 1994 at the March Field Air Museum, Riverside, CA