Lockheed
SR-72 Darkstar
"Son of Blackbird"

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General Info

Lockheed SR-72 Darkstar

Role Hypersonic strategic reconnaissance UAV
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin
Status Design proposal

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History Lockheed
Lockheed SR-72 Darkstar

The Lockheed Martin SR-72, colloquially referred to as "Son of Blackbird", is an American hypersonic UAV concept intended for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) proposed privately in 2013 by Lockheed Martin as a successor to the retired Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The company expected an SR-72 test vehicle could fly by 2025.

The SR-71 Blackbird was retired by the USAF in 1998, leaving a potential coverage gap between surveillance satellites, crewed aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions. With the growth of anti-satellite weapons, anti-access/area denial tactics, and counter-stealth technologies, it was thought that a high-speed aircraft could penetrate protected airspace and observe or strike a target before enemies could detect or intercept it. The proposed reliance on extremely high speed to penetrate defended airspace is considered a significant conceptual departure from the emphasis on stealth in fifth-generation jet fighter programs and projected drone developments.

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Lockheed SR-72 Darkstar

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin has made an attempt on various successors to the SR-71 since 1998, but could not succeed in developing the high speed aircraft.

Powerplant

The SR-72 unmanned aircraft will be powered by two engines. The aircraft will receive thrust from the turbine engine until it reaches a speed of Mach 3, while the dual-mode ramjet will deliver power for the flight at hypersonic speeds. The aircraft will use a single inlet nozzle for both the turbine engine and ramjet for reducing the drag.

Specifications

The vehicle attained a maximum speed of Mach 20 (13,000mph). The experience and substantial data gained from the HTV-2 is utilised to devise better design for the SR-72.

Combat Operations

The new aircraft is expected to strike targets anywhere across a continent in less than an hour when equipped with hypersonic missiles such as Lockheed Martin’s High Speed Strike Weapon (HSSW). The high-speed of the aircraft ensures penetration into protected airspace.

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Special Links Lockheed/Martin SR-72 Darkstar

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American reconnaissance satellites first spotted the advanced Soviet Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter prototypes in 1978, which caused concern in the U.S. Both Soviet models were expected to reduce the maneuverability advantage of contemporary US fighter aircraft.

Lockheed/Martin
SR-72 Blackbird

"The new aircraft is expected to strike targets anywhere across a continent in less than an hour."

Youtube Link

The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23, is an American single-seat, twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft technology demonstrator designed for the United States Air Force.

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LockheedSR-72 Darkstar "Son of Blackbird"