: Fuselage panels were designed to fit loosely on the ground to allow for expansion during high-speed flight. This caused the aircraft to leak JP-7 fuel while stationary.
: Roughly 85% of the airframe was titanium, which could withstand the 600°F (315°C) surface temperatures. LockheedSR71Blackbird.rar
: The aircraft used its fuel as a heat sink to cool the air-conditioning system and internal components before the fuel was burned. Legacy and Successors Aircraft Report: Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird : Fuselage panels were designed to fit loosely
To survive the extreme heat generated by friction at Mach 3+, the aircraft required radical design solutions: : The aircraft used its fuel as a
: On July 28, 1976, it set absolute records for speed (2,193.167 mph) and altitude (85,068.997 feet).
The Blackbird was engineered to outrun surface-to-air missiles by cruising at the edge of space. : Mach 3.3 (2,193 mph / 3,529 km/h). Service Ceiling : 85,000 feet (approx. 26,000 meters).