tartare

Some very interesting material here.
Seems the A12 (due to being lighter) flew faster and higher than the SR71.
In particular altitude table - at end of cruise - 91,700 feet...
Had always thought the black jet was faster/higher than the silver one.
Up there with the Angels... wow.

Rosevidney1

Good link, thank you. Most impressive performance even today.

FoxtrotAlpha18

I heard they zoomed an A-12 past 110K in early flight testing but had a double flame-out and nearly lost it on the way down...hence the theoretical 90K ceiling

Respect...

LowObservable

Fastest, highest-flying (known) service aircraft, A-12 & SR...

Longest (known) unrefuelled range at supersonic speed, Concorde...

How did we get less good at this stuff?

Milo Minderbinder

I couldn't see any comparison for the YF-12
Didn't they bother because it wasn't a CIA version, or was it the same as the A-12?

tartare

Good point.
YF12 was certainly flying at that time. Only an assumption, but I would have imagined the extra weight of a WSO and associated systems, plus larger radar, missile bay apparatus would have impacted service ceiling.
Also, there was an aerodynamic penalty from the larger YF12 nose section - to accomodate the radar - necessitating the addition of ventral strakes under both engines to control yaw.
Personally, I find it sad to look at those incredible pieces of engineering and photos of Kelly Johnson, Ben Rich and others - and think that the challenge of absolute speed and height in manned aircraft seems to have taken a backseat.
I wonder if we will eventually learn more about Isinglass - and if there were/are any real high speed manned successors (rather than the mythical Aurora).

Pious Pilot

I find it difficult to believe that 50's and 60's technology hasn't been surpassed, even if it's still in the black.

You would think that with the advent of computers, a lot more can be achieved with a lot less.

I would like to hear a PPRuNe self professed expert explain whether the technology of the supposed TR3B is feasible or just another whacko spam alien money making scheme????

cornish-stormrider

I don't care - oxcart,71, habu - call it what you will.

It is Damn Sexy - proper areoporn - I went so far as to download some Alan Parsons project from the strength of a display at fairford IIRC.

I think my favourite tale is from the 86 Gaddaffii walloping when they fired a load of sam's at it and the pilot gave if full bore and it just kept getting faster and faster, I think the theory was more air into ramjet = more thrust = more speed = more air into ramjet.

can you feel the speed?

skwinty

Check this site for a complete declassified history of black aircraft and area 51.. Straight from the horses mouth.

Home Page - Roadrunners Internationale Declassified U-2 A-12 Projects Aquatone OXCART Area 51