SR-71 Blackbird Speed and Altitude Records

SR-71 Blackbird Speed and Altitude Records

The SR-71 Blackbird cruises above Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound).

It has set numerous speed and altitude records including the following in chronological order

May 01, 1965

Absolute Altitude: 80,257.86 ft (24,390 meters)... YF-12A # 60-6934

Absolute Speed Over a Straight Course: 2,070.101 mph...YF-12A #60-6936

Absolute Speed Over a 500km Closed Course: 1,688.889 mph...YF-12A #60-6936

Absolute Speed Over a 1,000km Closed Course: 1,643.041 mph... YF-12A #60-6936

Go to this web page for complete information and photos of the YF-12A Record Flights:
http://www.sr71.us/yf12~1.htm

September 01, 1974

SR-71A #61-7972

New York to London (World Record-Speed Over a Recognized Course): Distance: 3,461.53 statute miles...Time: 1hr 54 min 56.4 secs. Average Speed

1,806.95 statute mph.

Crew: Major's James V. Sullivan, Pilot and Noel F. Widdifield, Reconnaissance Systems Operator

Go to this web page for complete information and photos of the New York to London Record Flight:
http://www.sr71.us/srspee~1.htm

September 13, 1974

SR-71A #61-7972

London to Los Angeles (World Record-Speed Over a Recognized Course): Distance: 5,446.87 statute miles...Time: 3hrs 47min 39secs. Average Speed: 1,435.59 mph

Crew: Capt. Harold B. (Buck) Adams, Pilot, with Maj. William C. Machorek, Reconnaissance
Systems Operator

Go to this web page for complete information and photos of the London to LA Record Flight:
http://www.sr71.us/la001.html

July 27-28 1976

Altitude in Horizontal Flight: 85,068.997 ft (25,929.031 meters) SR-71A (Tail #963). World Absolute and World Class Altitude Record for Horizontal Flight - 85,069 feet, surpassing the previous record of 80,257 feet set by a Lockheed YF12A in June of 1965. SR-71 flown by Capt Robert C. Helt, Pilot and Major Larry A. Elliott, RSO.

Speed Over a Straight Course (15-25km): 2,193.167 mph SR-71A(Tail #958). World Absolute and World Class Speed Record over a 15/25 Kilometer Straight Course - 2,193.167 MPH surpassing the previous record set by a Lockheed YF12A Interceptor prototype in June 1965. SR-71 Flown by Capt. Eldon W. Joersz. Pilot and Major George T. Morgan Jr., RSO

Speed Over a Closed Course (1000km): 2,092.294 mph SR-71A(Tail #958). Two records set: World Absolute Closed Circuit Speed Record over a 1000 Kilometer Course (The SR-71 is a Class C-1 Group III jet engine aircraft, same as the Mig-25 Foxbat) - 2092.293 MPH, surpassing the previous Absolute Speed Record of 1853 MPH and the World Class Speed Record of 1815 MPH set by a Russian Mig-25 Foxbat in October, 1967. SR-71 flown by Major Adolphus H. "Pat" Bledsoe, Jr., Pilot and Major John T. Fuller, RSO.

Go to this web page for complete information and images of the World Record Flights set in 1976:
http://www.sr71.us/spd_run001.html

March 06, 1990

SR-71A #61-7972

West Coast to East Coast of USA (National Record-Speed Over a Recognized Course): Coast to Coast Distance: 2,404.05 statute miles...Time: 1 hr 07 min 53.69 secs...Average Speed: 2,124.51 mph

Los Angeles To Washington D.C. (World Record): Distance: 2,299.67 statute miles...Time: 1 hr 04 min 19.89 secs...Average Speed: 2,144.83 mph

St Louis To Cincinnati (World Record): Distance: 311.44 statute miles...Time: 8 mins 31.97 secs...Average Speed: 2,189.94 mph

Kansas City To Washington D.C. (World Record): Distance: 942.08 statute miles...Time: 25 mins 58.53 secs...Average Speed: 2176.08 mph

Crew for above four records: Ed Yeilding and J.T. Vida

(Above data verified by Ed Yeilding on November 22, 2002)

Go to this web page for complete information of the above Record Flights set in March of 1990:
http://www.sr71.us/972record1.htm

Recap of Destination and Records Set

New York to London 1 hr 54 min 56.4 sec.
London to Los Angeles 3 hrs 47 min 39 sec.
West Coast to East Coast USA 1 hr 7 min 53.6 sec.
Los Angeles To Washington D.C. 1 hr 4 min 19.8 sec.
St Louis To Cincinnati 8 min 31.9 sec.
Kansas City to Washington D.C. 25 min 58.5 sec.

Editors Note: On November 20, 1965 an A-12 Blackbird exceeded Mach 3.2 and a sustained altitude of 90,000 feet. A stripped down, highly modified Soviet Mig-25 did break some of the Blackbirds records, however the SR-71 regained those records in July, 1976. Visit the Mig-25 page for more information: "Mig-25 Foxbat Vs the SR-71 Blackbird"

Source for Record Data: The Blackbird Auburn Files and "Lockheed SR-71 The Secret Missions Exposed", Author Paul F. Crickmore. Revised Edition Spring 1997, published by Osprey Aerospace. ISBN 1-85532-681-7

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First Created: April 15, 1996 - Last Revised: March 29, 2004
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