SR-71 BLACK BIRD

THE SECRET PLANE FROM NASA SR-71 and YF-12 aircraft,
The basic design of the SR-71 and YF-12 aircraft originated in secrecy in the late l950s with the aircraft designation of A-11.

The SR-71, the most advanced member of the Blackbird family that included the A-12 and YF-12, was designed by a team of Lockheed
personnel led by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, then vice president of Lockheed's Advanced Development Company Projects,
commonly known as the "Skunk Works" and now a part of Lockheed Martin Corp.

The Blackbird design originated in secrecy during the late l950s with the A-12 reconnaissance aircraft that first flew in April 196
2 and remained classified until 1976. President Lyndon Johnson publicly announced the existence of the YF-12A interceptor variant
on Feb. 29, 1964, more than half a year after its maiden flight. The SR-71 completed its first flight on Dec. 22, 1964. More than a decade
after their retirement the Blackbirds remain the world's fastest and highest-flying production aircraft ever built.