Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1966–1990
Quantity
32
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
29
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
73
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Base AirframeLockheed A-12
- Mission Typestrategic reconnaissance
- Service Entry Year1966
- Flight Crew2
- Mission Crew2
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
- Engine TypePratt & Whitney J58 (JT11D-20J or JT11D-20K)
- Number of Engines2
▣Performance4MOD.4
- Cruise Speed3,500 km/h
- Service Ceiling25,908 m
- Range5,400 km
- Endurance2.5
◇Mission Systems9MOD.9
- Primary Sensor / Radarside‑looking airborne radar and camera
- AESA RadarNo
- Rotodome / AEW AntennaNo
- Operator Consoles2
- SIGINT / ELINT SuiteYes
- Magnetic Anomaly DetectorNo
- Sonobuoy CapabilityNo
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Self-Protection SuiteYes
◆Armament (ASW/Strike)3MOD.3
- TorpedoesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Weapons Payload0 kg
▤Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length32.614 m
- Wingspan16.94 m
- Max Takeoff Weight77,700 kg
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built32
- Operators2
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1998
- Production Start1965
- Production End1990
- Operational Statusretired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1966Production started
- 1990Production ended
60
years in service
24
years in production
32
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
05 / Operators
Operator Countries4country
06 / MASS Score
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT RANKING Intelligence / Recon Aircraft · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
84INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT29COLD WAR · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT1748UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS211PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theIntelligence / Recon Aircraftcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources