I understand the SR-71 had to deal with a lot of issues in order to keep its speed (special fuel which leaked on the runway, titanium fuselage and probably other stuff). But wouldn’t the same type of engine be able to power a relatively slower fighter jet capable of easily cruise at match 2-2.5, so it doesn’t have to deal with so much friction as the SR-71 at match 3.
But while the engines exist since the 1960s, relatively few fighters go faster than match 2 and it took all the way to the 21st century to have fighters capable of supercruise (and still below match 2). So I guess there has to be a reason for that.
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Fun fact, the SR-71 was actually named RS-71 but the name was botched during it’s reveal to the public . The name stuck.
Edit: still holds speed records. I love that thing. It’s a technological wonder. And it was designed all the way back in the 60s. Just crazy far ahead of it’s time. I wonder what’s top secret nowadays, if that tech is over 50 years old. So many good docs about it and stories.
LA speed story is so funny.
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