The secret engine technology that made the SR-71 the fastest plane ever

The secret engine technology that made the SR-71 the fastest plane ever

On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers flew the first airplane ever at 6.8 mph (10.9 km/h). Only 61 years and five days later, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird took off. It’s still the world’s fastest airplane with a speed of 2,193 mph (3,530 km/h.) This fascinating video reveals how its top secret engine technology works.

The secret engine technology that made the SR-71 the fastest plane ever

A ground test of the Pratt & Whitney J58 engine’s afterburner at full power.

It’s truly amazing that only 61 years and five days separate this

The secret engine technology that made the SR-71 the fastest plane ever

from this:

The secret engine technology that made the SR-71 the fastest plane ever

And it’s even more unbelievable that we haven’t been able to top that 51 years later (it will be exactly 51 years tomorrow—the first flight occurred on December 22, 1963.) Absolutely incredible.


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via Gizmodo
The secret engine technology that made the SR-71 the fastest plane ever