Podcast: The Case Of The Missing Blackbird

A special Lockheed SR-71A has gone missing after being displayed in front of a NASA facility for more than 26 years. Meanwhile, the NASA administrator is dropping hints that a new X-plane is in the works that happens to look a lot like a Blackbird. What's going on here? Editors Robert Wall, Graham Warwick and Steve Trimble explain what's going on—as far as they know today.

Subscribe Now

Don't miss a single episode of the award-winning Check 6. Follow us in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you prefer to watch, most of our episodes are now released on our YouTube channel.

Discover all of our podcasts at aviationweek.com/podcasts

AI Summary

The episode examines signs that NASA may be taking a closer look at an SR-71A Blackbird that has been removed from display, while noting that the agency has not confirmed plans to return the aircraft to flight. The discussion considers why the Blackbird might interest NASA as a research platform and how it could relate to renewed work on high-speed flight, future X-planes and propulsion technologies.

The conversation explains the SR-71’s performance and its history as a testbed, then looks at the challenges of using one today. Research into flight between Mach 3 and Mach 4 raises questions about heat, materials, thermal protection, and engines that transition between operating modes. The aircraft’s distinctive fuel and ignition systems also present practical obstacles, as do the limited availability of spare parts and the condition of equipment that has been stored for decades.

The episode reviews the history of the SR-71 parts inventory, including the disposition of tooling, tires, and composite components. It also considers engine preservation and the special tanker configuration used for aerial refueling. Because the aircraft’s seals are designed to function when hot, fuel leaks can occur on the ground. The discussion weighs whether NASA’s safety and certification requirements would permit a restored Blackbird to conduct useful research flights. Possible paths include restoring an existing aircraft, building an SR-71-inspired version, or using a related platform to study high-speed propulsion. 

The episode closes by considering how crewed high-speed research could support NASA’s aeronautics goals and why these studies may have broader strategic relevance.

Key Topics:

• Signs of NASA’s interest in the SR-71
• The display aircraft and reported inspection
• NASA’s aeronautics research priorities
• The Blackbird as a high-speed testbed
• Flight between Mach 3 and Mach 4
• Fuel, ignition, and spare-parts challenges
• Refueling, maintenance, and flight readiness
• Possible roles for a restored or redesigned aircraft