SR-71 Blackbird # 61-7979 Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

H2GUY & Countsmama: When I get a new container made it won't be placed in Texas.
Look in Oklahoma for its replacement coming soon.

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Hidden : 2/8/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

SR-71 tail number 17979 retired in 1990 after flying to Lackland AFB near San Antonio, TX. She is on display at the History and Traditions Museum.







SR-71 Blackbird Specifications

Primary Function: Strategic Reconnaissancebr
Contractor: Lockheed-Martin Skunkworks
Crew: Two
Unit Cost: N/A
Powerplant: Two Pratt and Whitney J-58 axial-flow turbojets with afterburners, each producing 32,500 pounds of thrust

Dimensions
Length: 107.4 feet (32.73 m)
Wingspan: 55.6 feet (16.94 m)
Height: 18.5 feet (5.63 m)

Weights
Empty: N/A
Maximum Takeoff: 140,000 pounds (52,250 kg) -- gross

Performance
Speed: over Mach 3.2 /2,000 mph (3,200 kph)
Ceiling: over 85,000 feet (26,000 m)
Range: over 2000 miles (3200 km) unrefueled

Armament
N/A


Long before such a feat of engineering would have been considered possible, Lockheed's Advanced Development Works designed and built the most impressive aircraft ever to roam the skies. The SR-71 "Blackbird" flew with impunity for over 30 years, and with good reason: Flying at over 85,000 feet and at a normal cruise speed over Mach 3, no missile or plane then or now could catch it. As a result, despite its numerous passes over hostile enemy territory in the pursuit of its reconnaissance missions, not a single aircraft has ever been lost to enemy fire. The SR-71 Blackbird was retired by a shortsighted US Air Force in 1990, although a few saw temporary reinstatement after the shortcomings of other reconnaissance platforms were demonstrated during the Gulf War. President Clinton used his line-item veto power to kill off the last funding for the magnificent Blackbird, relegating her largely to the care of a number of museums around the country. Four Blackbirds are maintained by NASA as high altitude/high speed research platforms, but NASA too has fallen short of operating funds. As of mid-2000, NASA's Blackbirds are sitting unused on their tarmacs - perhaps the only worse fate than becoming museum fodder.

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