SR 71 is very futuristic.

The B 52 has delivered for over 50 years.

For an aircraft designed over a long weekend, it kicks ass 'til this day.

 

...I know the sr 71 was designed in the 70's...

Skunkworks I believe.

What are they building now?...

 

Looking at the SR-71, it really is hard to believe that it's almost as old as the B-52. If it's futuristic today, think what it was like back in 1959.
("Was that a UFO?")

 

Exactly...!

 

How well the propaganda machine worked...

We admitted the existence of the SR-71 in the 70's and called it "brand new". It had already been in service for more than ten years, but since its capabilities were supposed to be top secret, and its primary function was in specific violation of treaty, we couldn't exactly talk about it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RED MX5

 

Ram jet technology in the 50"s?!

I think Yamaha was there!

What do you think of the new "scram jet" stuff drewchie?

 

I have to admit to being way out of the technological loop these days. I'm clueless about anything designed after 1985. (My day was tubes and cutting edge transistors!)

I had to do some research on Aurora for a writing project, but I ended up making most of it up. (S'OK, it was fiction anyway) Besides... Area 51 is a whole 'nother thread...

 

Stealthy, small, unmanned aircraft

 

Did someone say Herk?

I'm a big fan of the Herky Bird. I'm also a Lockheed Field Supprt Systems Engineer on the C-130J program for the Coast Guard. I first worked on the LC-130F/R/R2 back in 1990 at Pt. Mugu, with Operation Deepfreeze. I tell ya, what a squadron. Work hard, play hard. After I got out of the Navy, I went to work doing field Mods for Lockheed ( back when it was still 'Lockheed' and not 'Lockheed Martin'). I did a lot of C-130H and P-3B/C mods in the following years before I quit and moved to Vegas. After 3 years in Vegas, I missed the aerospace industry, so I got hooked up with a contract again. One thing led to another, and now I'm where I want to be. I love this job, and would be happy to retire doing what I'm doing right now in another 35 years. I've seen Herks do some incredible things, and the J model takes it one step further. To fly on one, then realize it's still a Herk boggles the mind. To step outside after a flight and see the props come to a stop, while the split-turbine engine is still spooling down causes you to look around in confusion, at least until you remember that this is a whole new aircraft. I've been fortunate enough to travel to Palmdale while with the company. I've seen an SR-71 up close. It was sad, because this amazing piece of hardware was decommissioned, and was rotting in the sun. I got to tour the X-35B, and the F-22 production line in Marietta. I left this industry once, but I'll never do it again.

I love this stuff!