‭The‬‭Engineering‬‭Behind‬‭the‬‭Lockheed‬‭SR-71‬‭Blackbird‬

‭The‬‭‬‭SR‬‭‭7
‬ 1‬‭‭e‬ ntered‬‭‭s‬ ervice‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭U
‬ nited‬‭‭S
‬ tates‬‭‭A
‬ ir‬‭‭F
‬ orce‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭1
‬ 966‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭reconnaissance‬‭‭a
‬ ircraft,‬‭‬
‭functioning‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭spy‬‭‭p
‬ lane‬‭‬‭.‬‭‭I‬t‬‭‭d
‬ id‬‭‬‭not‬‭ ‬‭carry‬‭‭b
‬ ombs‬‭‭o
‬ r‬‭‭h
‬ ave‬‭‭g
‬ uns‬‭‭o
‬ nboard‬‭‭.‬‬‭‭I‬ts‬‭‭m
‬ ain‬‭‭d
‬ efense‬‭‬
‭against‬‭‭e‬ nemy‬‭‭a
‬ ction‬‭‭w
‬ as‬‭ ‬‭altitude‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭speed,‬‭‭w
‬ hich‬‭‬‭made‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‭e‬ ssentially‬‭‬‭invulnerable.‬‭‬
‭Sustaining‬‭‭M
‬ ach‬‭‭3
‬ ‭‬‬‭.2‬‭‭(‬ 3‬‭‭,‬2‬‭‭t‬imes‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭s‬ peed‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭s‬ ound,‬‭‬‭which‬‭‭r‬ oughly‬‭‭c‬ orrelates‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭about‬‭‭2
‬ ‬‭‬‭,200‬‭‬
‭plus‬‭‬‭miles‬‭‭p
‬ er‬‭‭h
‬ our)‬‭‭,‬‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‬‭altitudes‬‭‭u
‬ p‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭8
‬ 5‬‭‭,‬000‬‭‭f‬eet.‬‭‭E
‬ very‬‭‭p
‬ art‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭this‬‭‭m
‬ asterpiece‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‬‭designed‬‭‬
‭for‬‭‭i‬ts‬‭‭m
‬ ission‬‭‬‭goals.‬‭‬

‭‬‭Before‬‭‭d
‬ elving‬‭‬‭into‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭i‬nctracicies‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭e‬ ach‬‭‬‭component,‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‬‭neccessary‬‭‭g
‬ ain‬‭‭a
‬ n‬‭‬‭idea‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭h
‬ ow‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭goals‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭E
‬ isenhower‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭US‬‭‭g
‬ overnment‬‭‬‭transalted‬‭‭i‬nto‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭p
‬ hyscial‬‭‬‭design‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬
‭Blackbird‬‭‭o
‬ verall,‬‭‬‭as‬‭‭o
‬ ne‬‭‬‭system.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭B
‬ lackbird‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‭r‬ elatively‬‭‭l‬arge‬‭‭a
‬ irplane‬‭‭c‬ ompared‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬
‭other‬‭‬‭fighter‬‭‭o
‬ r‬‭‬‭reconnaissance‬‭‭c‬ raft‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ ra,‬‭‬‭while‬‭‭f‬lying‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭u
‬ ntouchable‬‭‭a
‬ ltitudes‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬
‭speeds,‬‭‬‭which‬‭‭r‬ equired‬‭‬‭a‭‬‬‭lot‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭f‬uel.‬‭‬‭Two‬‭‭-
‬ thirds‬‭‬‭of‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭f‬uselage‬‭‬‭is‬‭‬‭occupied‬‭‬‭by‬‭‭c‬ ylindrical‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‬
‭tanks‬‭ ‬‭as‬‭‭w
‬ ell‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‬‭any‬‭‭u
‬ sable‬‭‬‭space‬‭‬‭in‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭w
‬ ings,‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‭t‬otal‬‭‭c‬ apacity‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭1
‬ 2‬‭‭,‬219‬‭‬‭.2‬‭‭g
‬ allons,‬‭‬
‭weighing‬‭‬‭in‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭a
‬ round‬‭‭8
‬ 0‬‭‭,‬285‬‭‭p
‬ ounds‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭fuel.‬‭‭A
‬ ‭‬‬‭pair‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭p
‬ owerful‬‭‬‭jet‬‭‬‭engines‬‭‬‭are‬‭‭s‬ ecured‬‭‭i‬nto‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭wings‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭b
‬ oth‬‭‭s‬ ides‬‭‬‭,‭‬‭w
‬ ith‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‭s‬ ubstantial‬‭‭p
‬ ortion‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭n
‬ acelle‬‭‭d
‬ edicated‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭m
‬ oveable‬‭‬‭inlet‬‭‬
‭cones,‬‭‬‭critical‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭SR-71’s‬‭‭s‬ upersonic‬‭‭c‬ apabilities.‬‭‭A
‬ ‭‬‭r‬ ow‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭f‬laps‬‭‭a
‬ long‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭b
‬ ack‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬
‭wing‬‭‬‭called‬‭‭e‬ levons‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭r‬ udders‬‭‭p
‬ erched‬‭‭a
‬ top‬‭‬‭each‬‭‭n
‬ acelle,‬‭‭m
‬ aking‬‭‭u
‬ p‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭f‬light‬‭‭c‬ ontrol‬‭‬
‭surfaces‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭plane.‬‭‬

‭Aerodynamic‬‭‬‭of‬‭‬‭supersonic‬‭‬‭flight‬‭‬

‭The‬‭‬‭exterior‬‭‭a
‬ erodynamics‬‭‬‭design‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭L
‬ ockheed‬‭‬‭SR-71‬‭‭B
‬ lackbird‬‭‭w
‬ as‬‭‭i‬mperative‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭its‬‭‬
‭ability‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭m
‬ aintian‬‭‬‭a‭‬‭c‬ ruising‬‭‭s‬ peed‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭M
‬ ach‬‭‭3
‬ .2.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭e‬ ngines‬‭‭a
‬ ppear‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭b
‬ e‬‭‬‭tilted‬‭‬‭slightly‬‭‬
‭downwards‬‭‬‭on‬‭‬‭ground,‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭c‬ ruising‬‭‬‭altitude‬‭‬‭and‬‭‬‭speed,‬‭‭t‬hey're‬‭‬‭closer‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭level,‬‭‬‭with‬‭‬‭a‬‭‬
‭fuselage‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭wing‬‭‭d
‬ esigned‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭s‬ it‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‬‭6‬‭‭d
‬ egreesangle‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭a
‬ ttack.‬‭‭T
‬ o‬‭‭c‬ arry‬‭‭s‬ ufficient‬‭‬‭fuel,‬‭‬
‭equipment,‬‭‬‭and‬‭‭p
‬ ersonnel,‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭fuselage‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭nose‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭p
‬ lane‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭q
‬ uite‬‭‬‭long.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭B
‬ lackbird‬‭‬‭has‬‭‬
‭a‬‭‬‭delta‬‭‭w
‬ ing‬‭‬‭design,‬‭‬‭so‬‭‬‭called‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭i‬ts‬‭‭t‬riangular‬‭‭s‬ hape,‬‭‭l‬ike‬‭‬‭a‭‬‭G
‬ reek‬‭‬‭delta‬‭‬‭character.‬‭‬‭Exceeding‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭speed‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭sound,‬‭‬‭or‬‭‭g
‬ oing‬‭‬‭supersonic,‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭S
‬ R‬‭‭-
‬ 71‬‭‭w
‬ as‬‭‭d
‬ esigned‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭d
‬ o,‬‭‭m
‬ eant‬‭‭p
‬ ushing‬‭‬
‭hard‬‭‭a
‬ gainst‬‭‬‭air‬‭‬‭molecules.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭s‬ pacing‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭t‬hese‬‭‬‭air‬‭‭m
‬ olecules,‬‭‭t‬heir‬‭‭i‬ndividual‬‭‭w
‬ eight,‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬
‭strength‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ lastic‬‭‬‭bonds‬‭‭b
‬ etween‬‭‭t‬hem,‬‭‭g
‬ ives‬‭‭t‬his‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭m
‬ esh‬‭‭p
‬ redictable‬‭‬‭behavior.‬‭‭I‬f‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬
‭aircraft‬‭ ‬‭slams‬‭‭t‬hrough‬‭‭t‬hese‬‭‭m
‬ olecules‬‭‭f‬aster‬‭‬‭than‬‭‭t‬hey‬‭‬‭can‬‭‭c‬ rash‬‭‬‭into‬‭‭t‬hemselves,‬‭‬‭it‬‭‬‭is‬‭‬
‭exceeding‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭speed‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭sound.‬‭‭S
‬ ince‬‭‭t‬hey‬‭‬‭cannot‬‭‭m
‬ ove‬‭‭o
‬ ut‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭way‬‭‭f‬ast‬‭‭e‬ nough,‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‬
‭molecules‬‭‭b
‬ unch‬‭‬‭up‬‭‭w
‬ hen‬‭‭t‬hey‬‭‭h
‬ it‬‭‭p
‬ arts‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭plane‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‭s‬ tick‬‭‭o
‬ ut,‬‭‬‭forming‬‭‭s‬ hockwaves‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‬
‭have‬‭‭p
‬ redictable‬‭‭c‬ haracteristics,‬‭‭l‬ike‬‭‭a
‬ ngles‬‭‬‭that‬‭‭g
‬ et‬‭‭s‬ harper‬‭‭w
‬ ith‬‭‭i‬ncreasing‬‭‭s‬ peed,‬‭‬‭eighteen‬‭‬
‭degrees,‬‭‬‭to‬‭‬‭be‬‭‬‭precise,‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭M
‬ ach‬‭‭3
‬ .2‬‭‭c‬ ruising‬‭‭s‬ peed.‬
‭As‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‭b
‬ uilds‬‭‬‭with‬‭‭i‬ncreasing‬‭‬‭speed,‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭SR-71‬‭‭o
‬ ne's‬‭‬‭sharp,‬‭‭t‬hin‬‭‭w
‬ ing‬‭‬‭slices‬‭‬‭through‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬
‭air.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭n
‬ arrow‬‭‭l‬eading‬‭‭e‬ dge‬‭‬‭allows‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭d
‬ eveloping‬‭‬‭shockwave‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭e‬ ventually‬‭‭a
‬ ttach‬‭‬‭itself‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭front‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭w
‬ ing.‬‭‬‭At‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭s‬ peed‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭s‬ ound‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭a
‬ bove,‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭p
‬ lane's‬‭‭s‬ harp‬‭‭f‬eatures‬‭‭c‬ omb‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‬
‭into‬‭‬‭smooth‬‭‬‭flowing,‬‭‭w
‬ ell-behaved‬‭‭s‬ upersonic‬‭‭s‬ hock‬‭‭w
‬ aves‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭l‬eading‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭t‬railing‬‭‭e‬ dges.‬‭‬‭The‬‭‬
‭twin‬‭‭j‬et‬‭‬‭engines‬‭‬‭and‬‭‭t‬heir‬‭‬‭inlets‬‭‬‭are‬‭‬‭spaced‬‭‭o
‬ ut‬‭‭f‬rom‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭c‬ enter‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭a
‬ void‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‬‭swirls‬‭‭u
‬ p‬‭‬
‭from‬‭‭u
‬ nder‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭fuselage,‬‭‭b
‬ ut‬‭‭a
‬ re‬‭‭k
‬ ept‬‭‭w
‬ ithin‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭n
‬ ose‬‭‭s‬ hockwave,‬‭‭e‬ ven‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭m
‬ aximum‬‭‬‭speeds.‬‭‬
‭In‬‭‬‭aerodynamic‬‭‬‭parlance,‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‭s‬ harp‬‭‭e‬ dge‬‭‭l‬ike‬‭‭t‬his‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭c‬ alled‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭chine.These‬‭‭c‬ hine’s‬‭‬‭serve‬‭‬‭a‭‬‭f‬ew‬‭‬
‭critical‬‭‬‭tasks.‬‭‬‭They‬‭‭h
‬ elp‬‭‬‭form‬‭‬‭more‬‭‭p
‬ owerful‬‭‭v
‬ ortices‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭s‬ wirls‬‭‭u
‬ p‬‭‭a
‬ round‬‭‭t‬hem‬‭‬‭during‬‭‬
‭flight,‬‭‬‭which‬‭‬‭causes‬‭‭l‬ower‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‭a
‬ bove‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭sharp,‬‭‭t‬hin‬‭‭w
‬ ings,‬‭‭c‬ ontributing‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭a
‬ n‬‭‬‭impressive‬‭‬
‭20%‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭total‬‭‬‭lift‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‬‭speed.‬‭‬‭They‬‭‭a
‬ ct‬‭‭l‬ike‬‭‭f‬ins‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭s‬ tabilize‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭b
‬ lackbird's‬‭‬‭long‬‭‬‭nose‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‭c‬ uts‬‭‬
‭through‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭a
‬ ir.‬‭‬

‭Radar‬‭‭C
‬ ross‬‭‬‭Section‬

‭Radar‬‭‭t‬owes‬‭‬‭beam‬‭‬‭signals‬‭‬‭from‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‭p
‬ oint‬‭‭o
‬ utwards.‬‭‬‭Traditional,‬‭‭c‬ ommon,‬‭‭r‬ ounded‬‭‬‭plane‬‭‬
‭features‬‭‬‭will‬‭‭r‬ eliably‬‭‭r‬ eflectthose‬‭‭w
‬ aves‬‭‬‭back,‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‬‭easier‬‭‭i‬dnetification‬‭‭f‬rom‬‭‬‭many‬‭‬‭angles.‬‭‭O
‬ n‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭other‬‭‬‭hand,‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭B
‬ lackbirds‬‭‭f‬latter‬‭‭s‬ urfaces‬‭‭r‬ educe‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭l‬ikelihood‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭waves‬‭‭r‬ eflecting‬‭‭b
‬ ack‬‭‬
‭to‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ ource,‬‭‬‭with‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭a
‬ ircraft‬‭‬‭appearing‬‭‭l‬arger‬‭‭t‬han‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‭b
‬ ird‬‭‭b
‬ ut‬‭‭s‬ maller‬‭‭t‬han‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‭h
‬ uman‬‭‬‭on‬‭‬‭a‬‭‬
‭radar.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‬‭rudders‬‭‭a
‬ re‬‭‭a
‬ lso‬‭‭c‬ anted‬‭‬‭inwards‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭r‬ educe‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭S
‬ R-71’s‬‭‬‭radar‬‭‭c‬ ross-section,‬‭‬
‭making‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‬‭appear‬‭‭s‬ maller‬‭‬‭than‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‬‭is.‬‭‬‭t‭‬‭T
‬ he‬‭‭B
‬ lackbird‬‭ ‬‭also‬‭‭f‬eatured‬‭‬‭a‭‬‭r‬ adar‬‭‬‭absorbing‬‭‬
‭composite‬‭‭m
‬ aterial‬‭‬‭called‬‭‭a
‬ sbestos-silicone‬‭‭l‬aminate,‬‭‬‭decreasing‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭number‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭w
‬ aves‬‭‬‭that‬‭‬
‭were‬‭‭r‬ eflected‬‭‭b
‬ ack.‬‭‭.‬‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭S
‬ R-71‬‭‭w
‬ as‬‭‬‭among‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭f‬irst‬‭‭o
‬ perational‬‭‭a
‬ ircrafts‬‭‭w
‬ ith‬‭‭t‬his‬‭‭k
‬ ind‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬
‭intentional‬‭‭s‬ leath‬‭‬‭shaping‬

‭J58‬‭‭J‬ et‬‭‭E
‬ ngine‬

‭The‬‭‬‭actual‬‭‭j‬et‬‭‬‭engine‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭L
‬ ockheed‬‭‭S
‬ R-71‬‭‭B
‬ lackbird‬‭‭s‬ its‬‭‭b
‬ ehind‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭i‬nlet‬‭‭s‬ pike‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭h
‬ as‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‬
‭pretty‬‭‭s‬ tandard‬‭‬‭overall‬‭‬‭design.‬‭‬‭Air‬‭‭e‬ nters‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭j‬et‬‭‭e‬ ngines‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‬‭forced‬‭‭b
‬ ackwards‬‭‬‭by‬‭‭r‬ otors.‬‭‬
‭Rings‬‭‭s‬ tationary‬‭‭b
‬ lades‬‭‬‭called‬‭‭s‬ tators‬‭‭m
‬ ake‬‭‭s‬ ure‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‬‭flows‬‭‭g
‬ enerally‬‭‭b
‬ ackwards‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭b
‬ uilds‬‭‬
‭pressure‬‭‭i‬nstead‬‭‬‭of‬‭‬‭just‬‭‬‭twisting‬‭‭w
‬ ith‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭rotors.‬‭‬‭The‬‭‭p
‬ assage‬‭‭n
‬ arrows,‬‭‬‭compressing‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‬
‭more‬‭‬‭powerful‬‭‬‭combustion.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭c‬ ompressed‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭n
‬ ow‬‭‭f‬lows‬‭‭t‬hrough‬‭‭s‬ eparate‬‭‬‭nozzles,‬‭‭a
‬ round‬‭‬
‭a‬‭‬‭small‬‭‭o
‬ uter‬‭‬‭ring‬‭‬‭while‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭s‬ prayed‬‭‭t‬hrough‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭c‬ enter.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‬‭fuel-air‬‭‭m
‬ ixture‬‭‬‭is‬‭‬‭then‬‭‬
‭ignited.‬‭‭O
‬ nce‬‭‭i‬gnited,‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭f‬lame‬‭‭p
‬ asses‬‭‬‭through‬‭‭s‬ mall‬‭‭c‬ orss-over‬‭‭t‬ubes‬‭‭u
‬ ntil‬‭‬‭all‬‭‬‭burner‬‭‬‭cans‬‭‬
‭are‬‭‭l‬it.‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭powerful‬‭‬‭exhaust‬‭‭s‬ hooting‬‭‭o
‬ ut‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭these‬‭‭c‬ ans‬‭‭p
‬ ushes‬‭‭a
‬ gainst‬‭‬‭turbines,‬‭‬‭delivering‬‭‬
‭around‬‭‭6
‬ 0,000‬‭‭h
‬ orsepower.‬‭‭T
‬ urbines‬‭‭a
‬ re‬‭‬‭connected‬‭‭i‬nternal‬‭‭g
‬ ears‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭s‬ hafts‬‭‬‭to‬‭‬‭drive‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬
‭forward‬‭‭c‬ ompressor‬‭‬‭rotors,‬‭‭s‬ ucking‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭m
‬ ore‬‭‬‭air‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭c‬ oninuing‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭c‬ ycle.‬‭‬‭The‬‭‭e‬ xiting‬‭‭h
‬ ot‬‭‬
‭exhaust‬‭‬‭gas‬‭‬‭expands,‬‭‬‭creating‬‭‬‭a‭‬‭f‬ast‬‭‬‭moving‬‭‭j‬et‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭p
‬ ropel‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭p
‬ lane‬‭‬‭forwards.‬‭‬‭This‬‭‭s‬ etup‬‭‬
‭with‬‭‭c‬ ompressor,‬‭‬‭combustor,‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭t‬urbine‬‭‭s‬ ections‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭turbojet‬‭‬‭engine‬‭‭d
‬ esign.‬‭‭I‬t‬‭‬‭has‬‭‬‭an‬‭‬
‭afterburner‬‭‭s‬ ection.‬‭‭F
‬ uel‬‭‭h
‬ as‬‭‬‭been‬‭‭c‬ onsumed‬‭‭b
‬ ut‬‭‭t‬here‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭s‬ till‬‭‭b
‬ urnerbale‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭e‬ xisting‬‭‬
‭exhaust‬‭‬‭stream.‬‭‭A
‬ dditional‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭s‬ prayed‬‭‭i‬nto‬‭‭t‬his‬‭‭s‬ tream.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‬‭mixture‬‭‭w
‬ raps‬‭‭a
‬ round‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭ ‭v
‬ ‭‬‬
‭shaped‬‭‬‭rings‬‭‬‭called‬‭‭f‬lameholders,‬‭‭w
‬ hich‬‭‭p
‬ rovide‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‭c‬ ontained‬‭‭a
‬ rea‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭t‬urbulance‬‭ ‬‭for‬‭‬‭fuel‬‭‬
‭mixing‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭combustion.‬‭‬‭The‬‭‬‭mixture‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭t‬hen‬‭‭i‬gnited.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭B
‬ lackbird‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭d
‬ esigned‬‭‬‭to‬‭‬‭maintain‬‭‬
‭continuous,‬‭‬‭full‬‭‭a
‬ fterburneer‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭c‬ ruising‬‭‭s‬ peed‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭a
‬ n‬‭‬‭hour‬‭‭o
‬ r‬‭‭s‬ o‬‭‬‭between‬‭‬‭aerial‬‭‭r‬ efuelings.‬‭‭A
‬ ll‬‭‬
‭this‬‭‬‭heat‬‭‬‭and‬‭‭b
‬ uilt‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‭m
‬ ust‬‭‬‭now‬‭‭b
‬ e‬‭‬‭converted‬‭‭i‬nto‬‭‭e‬ xhaust‬‭‭v
‬ elocity.‬‭‭T
‬ his‬‭‭h
‬ appens‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭a‭‬‬
‭special‬‭‭s‬ ection‬‭‬‭called‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭c‬ onverging/diverging‬‭‭n
‬ ozzle.‬‭‭H
‬ ot,‬‭‬‭pressurised‬‭‬‭exhaust‬‭‭s‬ peeds‬‭‬‭up‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬
‭squeeze‬‭‭p
‬ ast‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭n
‬ arrow‬‭‭p
‬ art‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭t‬hen‬‭‭e‬ xpands‬‭‭t‬hrough‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭w
‬ ide‬‭‭e‬ xit,‬‭‭c‬ onverting‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭heat‬‭‬
‭and‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‬‭into‬‭‭v
‬ elocity.‬‭‭T
‬ here‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‭r‬ ing‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭f‬laps‬‭‭c‬ alled‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ jector‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‭c‬ an‬‭‭a
‬ lter‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭size‬‭‬‭of‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭exhaust‬‭‬‭opening‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭p
‬ roper‬‭‬‭exhaust‬‭‭a
‬ cceleration‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭v
‬ arying‬‭‭c‬ onditions.‬‭‬‭Therefore,‬‭‬‭if‬‭‬‭air‬‭‬‭is‬‭‬
‭exiting‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭turbines‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭M
‬ ach‬‭‭0
‬ .4,‬‭‬‭air‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ jector‬‭‬‭flaps‬‭‭h
‬ as‬‭‭a
‬ ccelerated‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭Mach‬‭‬‭3‬‭‭o
‬ r‬‭‭m
‬ ore‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬
‭match‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭aircrafts‬‭‬‭travelling‬‭‭s‬ peed.‬‭‭H
‬ owever,‬‭‭t‬his‬‭‭e‬ ngine‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭n
‬ ot‬‭‭c‬ apable‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭s‬ ustaining‬‭ ‬‭Mach‬‭‬
‭3.2,‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭cruising‬‭‭s‬ peed‬‭‬‭of‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭B
‬ lackbird,‬‭‭o
‬ n‬‭‭i‬ts‬‭‭o
‬ wn.‬‭‭I‬n‬‭‭f‬act‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭engine‬‭‭c‬ annot‬‭‬‭even‬‭‭u
‬ se‬‭‬
‭supersonic‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‬‭it‬‭‬‭would‬‭‭c‬ ause‬‭‭f‬lameouts,‬‭‬‭extinguishing‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭c‬ ombustor‬‭‭a
‬ mong‬‭‬‭other‬‭‭t‬hings.‬‭‬
‭This‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭w
‬ here‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭i‬nlet‬‭‭s‬ pikes‬‭‭c‬ ome‬‭‭i‬nto‬‭‭p
‬ lay.‬

‭Inlet‬‭‬‭spikes‬

‭Inlet‬‭‬‭spikes‬‭‬‭perfomer‬‭‬‭a‭‬‬‭vital‬‭‬‭role‬‭‬‭in‬‭‭a
‬ llwoning‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭S
‬ R-71‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭r‬ each‬‭‭s‬ upersonic‬‭‬‭speeds.‬‭‭A
‬ ‭‬‬
‭supersonic‬‭‭s‬ hock‬‭‬‭waves‬‭‬‭forms‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ harp‬‭‭t‬ip‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭spike,‬‭‭t‬uning‬‭‭a
‬ irflow‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‬‭entry‬‭‬‭into‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬
‭inlet‬‭‬‭chamber.‬‭‭S
‬ ome‬‭‭c‬ ompression‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭a
‬ lready‬‭‭h
‬ appening‬‭‭h
‬ ere,‬‭‭o
‬ utside‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭n
‬ acelle.‬‭‬‭At‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭inlet‬‭‬
‭lip,‬‭‭a
‬ nother‬‭‭s‬ hock‬‭‬‭wave‬‭‭f‬orms,‬‭‭r‬ eflects‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‭f‬ew‬‭‬‭times,‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭r‬ eaches‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭n
‬ arrowest‬‭‭p
‬ art‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬
‭inlet‬‭‬‭passage‬‭‭w
‬ here‬‭‭i‬ts‬‭‭s‬ upersonic‬‭‭e‬ nergy‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭c‬ onverted,‬‭‭h
‬ aving‬‭‭s‬ lowed‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭s‬ ubsonic‬‭‭s‬ peeds.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‬
‭exchange‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭energy‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‭h
‬ appens,‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭s‬ upersonic‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭t‬rades‬‭‭i‬ts‬‭‭v
‬ elocity‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭i‬ncreased‬‭‭p
‬ ressure,‬‭‬
‭density‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭temperature,‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‬‭key,‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‬‭supersonic‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭c‬ annot‬‭‭b
‬ e‬‭‭u
‬ sed‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭j‬et‬‭‭e‬ ngine,‬‭‬‭but‬‭‭c‬ an‬‭‭u
‬ se‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭jet‬‭‭e‬ ngine‬‭‭l‬ike‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭pump‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭take‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭m
‬ ore‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭m
‬ ore‬‭‬‭supersonic‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭c‬ onvert‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭p
‬ ressure.‬‭‬
‭There‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‬‭an‬‭‬‭opening‬‭‬‭just‬‭‭b
‬ efore‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭i‬nelts‬‭‬‭narrowest‬‭‭p
‬ oint,‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭b
‬ leed‬‭‭o
‬ ffsome‬‭‭s‬ upersonic‬‭‬‭air.‬‭‭I‬t‬‭‬
‭flows‬‭‭t‬hrough‬‭‬‭shock‬‭‭t‬raps‬‭‬‭in‬‭‬‭order‬‭‭t‬o‬‭ ‭s‬ low‬‭‭d
‬ own‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭p
‬ ressurise.‬‭‭I‬t‬‭‭t‬hen‬‭‭s‬ urrounds‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭c‬ ools‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭engine,eventually‬‭‬‭rejoining‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ xhaust‬‭‭s‬ tream‬‭‭w
‬ here‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‬‭trades‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‬‭velocity‬‭‭o
‬ n‬‭‬‭its‬‭‬
‭way‬‭‬‭out.‬‭‭T
‬ his‬‭‬‭process‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭s‬ o‬‭‭i‬mportant‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭M
‬ ach‬‭‬‭3.2‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭pressure‬‭‬‭recovery‬‭‭a
‬ lone‬‭‬‭from‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬
‭inlet‬‭‬‭spike‬‭‬‭and‬‭‭b
‬ ypass‬‭‬‭air‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭r‬ esponsible‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭5
‬ 8%‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭t‬hrust‬‭‭g
‬ enerated.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭i‬nlet‬‭‬‭spike‬‭‭c‬ an‬‭‬
‭do‬‭‭t‬hese‬‭‬‭things‬‭‭b
‬ ecause‬‭‭t‬here‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭l‬ess‬‭‬‭air‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭8
‬ 0,000‬‭‭f‬eet‬‭‭s‬ o‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭e‬ ngines‬‭‭d
‬ o‬‭‬‭not‬‭‭n
‬ eed‬‭‬‭to‬‭‬
‭build‬‭‬‭up‬‭‭m
‬ uch‬‭‬‭pressure‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ ngine‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭r‬ elease‬‭‬‭a‭‬‭f‬ast‬‭‭e‬ xhaust‬‭‭j‬et.‬‭‬

‭The‬‭‬‭spikes‬‭‬‭are‬‭‬‭adjustable.‬‭‬‭With‬‭‭t‬his‬‭‬‭much‬‭‭t‬hrust‬‭‭c‬ omning‬‭‭f‬rom‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭i‬nlet‬‭‭s‬ pike‬‭‭a

‬ t‬‭‬‭such‬‭‬‭high‬‭‬
‭speeds,‬‭‬‭it‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭c‬ ritical‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‬‭shock‬‭‭w
‬ aves‬‭‭m
‬ aintain‬‭‬‭proper‬‭‭a
‬ lignment.‬‭‭A
‬ t‬‭‭M
‬ ach‬‭‬‭1.6,‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ pike‬‭‬
‭begins‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭retract‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭continues‬‭‭m
‬ oving‬‭‬‭backwards,‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭26‬‭‬‭inches‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭r‬ earward‬‭‭t‬ravel‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭i‬ts‬‭‬‭limit,‬‭‬
‭as‬‭‬‭speeds‬‭‬‭hit‬‭‬‭Mach‬‭‬‭3.2.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭i‬nelt‬‭‬‭throat’s‬‭‭s‬ hape‬‭‬‭changes‬‭‬‭as‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭s‬ pike‬‭‬‭moves‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭o
‬ rder‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭keep‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭pre-designed‬‭‬‭shock‬‭‭w
‬ ave‬‭‭c‬ rucial‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭mainting‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭h
‬ igh‬‭‭s‬ peeds.‬‭‭.‬‬‭‭I‬f‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ hock‬‭‭w
‬ aves‬‭‬‭are‬‭‬
‭not‬‭‭a
‬ lligned,‬‭‭a
‬ ll‬‭‭t‬hrust‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭i‬mmediately‬‭‭l‬ost‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭p
‬ lane‬‭‭j‬erks‬‭ ‬‭abruptly‬‭ ‬‭to‬‭‭o
‬ ne‬‭‬‭side.‬‭‭T
‬ his‬‭‬‭is‬‭‬
‭called‬‭‭a
‬ n‬‭‬‭inlet‬‭‬‭unstart.‬‭‭I‬f‬‭‭a
‬ n‬‭‬‭unstart‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭d
‬ etected,‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭o
‬ nboard‬‭‭c‬ omputer‬‭‭m
‬ oves‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭s‬ pike‬‭‬
‭forwards‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭an‬‭‭a
‬ ttempt‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭r‬ estart‬‭‭i‬t.‬‭‭C
‬ omfortable‬‭‭c‬ ruise‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭supersonic‬‭‭r‬ ealm.‬‭‬‭This‬‭‬‭inlet‬‭‬
‭system‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‬‭so‬‭‭g
‬ ood‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭c‬ apturing‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ nergy‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‬‭supersonic‬‭‭a
‬ irflow,‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭blackbird‬‭‭w
‬ as‬‭‬‭known‬‭‬
‭to‬‭‭g
‬ et‬‭‬‭better‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭m
‬ ileage‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭faster‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‭w
‬ ent.‬‭‬

‭Engine‬‭‭s‬ upporting‬‭‭f‬eatures‬

‭The‬‭‬‭Blackbird‬‭‬‭SR-71‬‭‬‭features‬‭‭c‬ omputer‬‭‬‭controlled‬‭‭f‬orward‬‭‬‭bypass‬‭‭d
‬ oors‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭regulate‬‭‬‭excess‬‭‬
‭air‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭m
‬ aintain‬‭‬‭inlet‬‭‬‭air‬‭‬‭pressure‬‭‭b
‬ alance.‬‭‬‭.‬‭‭H
‬ owever,‬‭‭t‬his‬‭‭s‬ low‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‬‭rejoing‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭outside‬‭‭f‬low‬‭‬
‭could‬‭‬‭cause‬‭‭d
‬ rag.‬‭‬‭Therefore,‬‭‭t‬here‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭a
‬ nother‬‭‭s‬ et‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭b
‬ ypass‬‭‭d
‬ oors‬‭‭j‬ust‬‭‭b
‬ efore‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ ngine‬‭‬‭that‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭pilot‬‭‭c‬ ould‬‭‬‭manually‬‭‬‭control‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‬‭bleeds‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭i‬nto‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭n
‬ acelle‬‭‭b
‬ ypass‬‭‭c‬ hamber‬‭‬‭instead.‬‭‬
‭Below‬‭‬‭Mach‬‭‬‭0.5,‬‭‭t‬here‬‭‬‭may‬‭‭n
‬ ot‬‭‭b
‬ e‬‭‭e‬ nough‬‭‭a
‬ irflow‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭p
‬ roper‬‭‬‭cooling‬‭‭,‬‬‭‭t‬herefore‬‭‭t‬here‬‭‬‭are‬‭‬
‭such‬‭‬‭doors‬‭‬‭about‬‭‬‭halfway‬‭‭d
‬ own‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭n
‬ acelle‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‭o
‬ pen‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭h
‬ elp‬‭‭o
‬ ut.‬‭‭T
‬ here‬‭‭a
‬ re‬‭‭a
‬ lso‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‬‭set‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭f‬laps‬‭‬
‭at‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭back‬‭‬‭of‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭jet‬‭‭e‬ ngine‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭independently‬‭‭c‬ ontrol‬‭‭a
‬ fterburner‬‭‬‭exhaust‬‭‭p
‬ ressure,‬‭‬‭and‬‭‬‭ring‬‭‬
‭blowing‬‭‬‭doors‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭h
‬ elp‬‭‭k
‬ eep‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ levator‬‭‭a
‬ rea‬‭‭f‬ull‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭s‬ lower‬‭‬‭speeds‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭a
‬ void‬‭ ‬‭dead‬‭‬‭spots,‬‭‬
‭which‬‭‬‭cause‬‭‭d
‬ rag‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭system.‬‭‬‭Above‬‭‬‭Mach‬‭‭2
‬ .2,‬‭‬‭there‬‭‭a
‬ re‬‭‭s‬ ix‬‭‭b
‬ ypass‬‭‭t‬ubes‬‭‬‭that‬‭‬‭open‬‭‬‭to‬‭‬
‭divert‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‬‭from‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭jet‬‭‭e‬ ngine’s‬‭‭c‬ ompressor‬‭‭s‬ ection‬‭‭d
‬ irectly‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭a
‬ fterburne,‬‭‭r‬ elieving‬‭‭i‬nternal‬‭‬
‭engine‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭boosting‬‭‭a
‬ fterburner‬‭‭p
‬ erformance.‬‭‭U
‬ p‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭4
‬ 0%‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ ngine‬‭‭i‬ntake‬‭‬‭can‬‭‬‭be‬‭‬
‭bypassed‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭this‬‭‭w
‬ ay‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‬‭signinfiant‬‭‭t‬hrust‬‭‭i‬ncrease.‬‭‬‭The‬‭‭i‬spike‬‭‭p
‬ erforation‬‭‭o
‬ n‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭i‬nlet‬‭‬‭spike‬‭‬
‭and‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭i‬nterior‬‭‬‭passages‬‭‭t‬ake‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭cooling‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭l‬ow‬‭‭s‬ peeds.‬‭‭A
‬ t‬‭‭h
‬ igher‬‭‭s‬ peeds,‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭thin‬‭‬‭layer‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭air‬‭‬
‭builds‬‭‬‭up‬‭‭o
‬ n‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ urface‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭a
‬ ircraft,‬‭‭c‬ alled‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭b
‬ oundary‬‭‭l‬ayer.‬‭‭A
‬ t‬‭‭c‬ urved‬‭‬‭srufaces,‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‬
‭might‬‭‬‭seperate‬‭ ‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭c‬ log‬‭‭u
‬ p‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭f‬low,‬‭‭c‬ ausing‬‭‭u
‬ nwated‬‭‬‭tubraulance‬‭‭d
‬ ownstream.‬‭‬‭Thses‬‭‬‭holes‬‭‬
‭bleed‬‭‬‭off‬‭‭b
‬ oundary‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭keep‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭f‬lowling‬‭‭s‬ moothly.‬

‭Fuel‬‭‭s‬ ystem‬
‭A‬‭‬‭significatn‬‭‭p
‬ ortion‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭a
‬ ircraft‬‭‭c‬ onsisted‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭t‬anks.‬‭‬‭.‭‬‬‭At‬‭‭t‬ake‬‭‭o
‬ ff,‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭f‬low‬‭‭r‬ ate‬‭‭c‬ ould‬‭‬
‭reach‬‭‬‭74,000‬‭‬‭pounds‬‭‬‭per‬‭‭h
‬ our‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭single‬‭‭e‬ ngine.‬‭‭H
‬ owever,‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭M
‬ ach‬‭‬‭3.15,‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭f‬low‬‭‭b
‬ ecame‬‭ ‬
‭more‬‭‬‭efficient,‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‬‭a‭‬‭l‬ittle‬‭‬‭under‬‭‭3
‬ ,000‬‭‭g
‬ allons‬‭‭p
‬ er‬‭‬‭hour.‬‭‬‭The‬‭‭t‬anks‬‭‭a
‬ re‬‭ ‭i‬ncoraptered‬‭‬‭into‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬
‭wing‬‭‬‭structure,‬‭‭w
‬ ithout‬‭‭a
‬ ny‬‭‬‭additional‬‭‭b
‬ ladder‬‭‭o
‬ r‬‭‬‭barrier.‬‭‬

‭Some‬‭‬‭surfaces‬‭‭c‬ ould‬‭‭r‬ each‬‭‭7

‬ 00‬‭‭d
‬ egrees‬‭‭f‬ahrenheit,‬‭‭c‬ ausing‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭a
‬ ircraft‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭e‬ xpand.‬‭‭T
‬ o‬‭‭e‬ nsure‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭aircraft‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭a
‬ ble‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭e‬ xpand‬‭‭w
‬ ithout‬‭‬‭collapsing,‬‭‬‭composite‬‭‭w
‬ edges‬‭‬‭alternate‬‭‬‭with‬‭‬‭titanium‬‭‬
‭along‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭o
‬ uter‬‭‬‭rim‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭zigzag‬‭‭p
‬ attern‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭a
‬ llow‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭e‬ xpansion.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭a
‬ irframe‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭m
‬ ostly‬‭‬‭made‬‭‬
‭of‬‭‭t‬itanium,‬‭‬‭as‬‭‬‭well‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‬‭much‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭interior‬‭‭p
‬ aneling‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭i‬ts‬‭‬‭performance‬‭‬‭under‬‭‬‭extreme‬‭‬‭stress‬‭‬
‭and‬‭‭h
‬ eat.‬‭‭C
‬ orrugations‬‭‭a
‬ long‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭w
‬ ing‬‭‭s‬ urface‬‭‭a
‬ lso‬‭‭a
‬ llowed‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭e‬ xpansion‬‭‭w
‬ hile‬‭‬‭contributing‬‭‬
‭to‬‭‭s‬ trength.‬‭ ‬‭Despite‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭panels‬‭‭b
‬ eing‬‭‭d
‬ esigned‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭e‬ xpand,‬‭‭p
‬ anel‬‭‭g
‬ aps‬‭‭m
‬ eant‬‭‬‭fuel‬‭‬‭would‬‭‭l‬eak‬‭‬
‭from‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭p
‬ lane,‬‭ ‭p
‬ osing‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭r‬ isk‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭normal‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭a
‬ uto-igniting‬‭‭w
‬ hen‬‭‭e‬ xposed‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭high‬‭‬
‭temperatures‬‭‭o
‬ utside‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭a
‬ ircraft.A‬‭‭s‬ pecial‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭ ‬‭called‬‭ ‭J‬ P-7‬‭‬‭was‬‭‭d
‬ eveloped,‬‭‭w
‬ hich‬‭‬‭would‬‭‭n
‬ ot‬‭‬
‭spontaneously‬‭‭i‬gnite‬‭‭b
‬ elow‬‭‭4
‬ 66‬‭‭d
‬ egreed‬‭‭F
‬ .‬‭‭T
‬ o‬‭‭i‬gnite‬‭ ‭t‬his‬‭‭f‬uel,‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭special‬‭‭c‬ hemical‬‭‬‭was‬‭‬‭required‬‭‬
‭called‬‭‭t‬riethylborane,‬‭‭T
‬ EB.‬‭‭A
‬ ‬‭‭s‬ hout‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭T
‬ EB‬‭‬‭was‬‭‭i‬njected‬‭‬‭first‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭g
‬ et‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭JP-7‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‬‭before‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‬
‭entered‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭engine.‬‭‭A
‬ dditives‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭fuel‬‭‭m
‬ ade‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‭u
‬ seful‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭lubricant,‬‭‬‭coolant‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭h
‬ ydraulic‬‭‬
‭fluid.‬‭‭I‬t‬‭‭t‬ook‬‭‭a
‬ ny‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭t‬hese‬‭‬‭rules‬‭‭d
‬ uring‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭p
‬ lane,‬‭‭e‬ specially‬‭ ‭i‬n‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ ngine's‬‭‬‭mechanical‬‭ ‬
‭components.‬‭‬

‭The‬‭‬‭SR-71‬‭‬‭had‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭r‬ efuel‬‭‭s‬ hortly‬‭‭a

‬ fter‬‭‭t‬ake‬‭‬‭off‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭v
‬ ery‬‭‭h
‬ eavy‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭l‬oad‬‭‭w
‬ ould‬‭‬‭stress‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬
‭plane’s‬‭‬‭landing‬‭‬‭gear‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭require‬‭‭t‬oo‬‭‭m
‬ uch‬‭‬‭runway‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‬‭takeoff.‬‭‭F
‬ ueling‬‭‭n
‬ ormally‬‭ ‭o
‬ ccured‬‭ ‬‭at‬‭‬
‭25,000‬‭‭f‬eet,‬‭‭w
‬ here‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭p
‬ lane‬‭‭t‬akes‬‭‭o
‬ n‬‭‭a
‬ n‬‭‭e‬ xtra‬‭‭6
‬ 0,000‬‭‭p
‬ ounds‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭fuel.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭n
‬ itrogen‬‭‬‭containers‬‭‬
‭in‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭front‬‭‬‭landing‬‭‭g
‬ ear‬‭‬‭compartment‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭inert‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭f‬uel‬‭‭t‬anks‬‭‬‭-‭‬‭m
‬ eaning‬‭‭a
‬ ir‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‬‭allowed‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭vent‬‭‬
‭out‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‬‭nitrogen‬‭ ‬‭is‬‭‭p
‬ umped‬‭‭i‬nto‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭t‬anks.‬‭‬‭With‬‭‭n
‬ o‬‭‭o
‬ xygen‬‭‭n
‬ ear‬‭ ‬‭the‬‭‭f‬uel,‬‭‭i‬t‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭c‬ onsidered‬‭‬
‭inert,‬‭‬‭greatly‬‭ ‬‭reducnig‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭r‬ isk‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭e‬ xplosion‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‬‭conditions‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭e‬ xtrrme‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭h
‬ eat.‬‭‬

‭Flight‬‭‭c‬ ontrol‬‭‬‭surfaces‬

‭The‬‭‬‭SR-71‬‭‬‭had‬‭‭l‬arge‬‭‬‭dual‬‭‭r‬ udders,‬‭‭o
‬ ne‬‭‬‭above‬‭‭e‬ ach‬‭‬‭engine.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‭d
‬ elta‬‭‭w
‬ ing‬‭‭c‬ ombined‬‭‬‭ailerons‬‭ ‬
‭with‬‭‭e‬ levator’s‬‭‭i‬nto‬‭ ‬‭a‭‬‬‭single‬‭‭r‬ ow‬‭ ‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭flaps‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‭h
‬ andled‬‭‭b
‬ oth‬‭‭t‬asks.‬‭‭T
‬ hese‬‭‬‭are‬‭‭c‬ alled‬‭‭e‬ levons‬‭‬
‭which‬‭‬‭control‬‭‬‭themselves‬‭‭h
‬ ydraulically.‬‭‭E
‬ ach‬‭‬‭side‬‭‬‭moves‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭a
‬ ‬‭‭s‬ ingle‬‭‭u
‬ nit;‬‭‭o
‬ pposite‬‭‬‭one‬‭‬
‭another‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭r‬ oll‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭together‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭p
‬ itch,‬‭‭o
‬ r‬‭‬‭some‬‭‭b
‬ lended‬‭‭c‬ ombination‬‭‬‭for‬‭‭m
‬ anurouves‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‬
‭requires‬‭‬‭some‬‭‭r‬ oll‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭pitch‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ ame‬‭‭t‬ime.‬‭‭T
‬ o‬‭‬‭achieve‬‭‭t‬his‬‭ ‬‭mixed‬‭‭o
‬ utput,‬‭‭t‬here‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬
‭mechanical‬‭‬‭device‬‭‭i‬n‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭c‬ entre‬‭ ‬‭tail‬‭ ‭s‬ ection‬‭‭c‬ alled‬‭ ‬‭the‬‭‭m
‬ ixer.‬‭‬
‭Cables‬‭‬‭from‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭f‬light‬‭‭s‬ tick‬‭‬‭in‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭c‬ ockpit‬‭‬‭pass‬‭‭t‬hrough‬‭‭p
‬ ulleys‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭t‬ubes‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭arrive‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬
‭mixer.‬‭ ‬‭Seperate‬‭‭c‬ ables‬‭‭a
‬ re‬‭‭d
‬ esignated‬‭‭f‬or‬‭‭r‬ oll‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭p
‬ itch.‬‭‭A
‬ t‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‬‭mixer,‬‭‬‭pitch‬‭‬‭cables‬‭‭c‬ onnect‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬
‭the‬‭‬‭pitch‬‭‭q
‬ uadrant,‬‭‬‭while‬‭‭r‬ olle‬‭‭c‬ ables‬‭‭a
‬ ttach‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭quadrant‬‭‭b
‬ ehind‬‭‭i‬t.There‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‬‭a‭‬‭m
‬ ixed‬‭‬
‭output‬‭‭b
‬ ellcrank‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭front,‬‭‭w
‬ ith‬‭‭p
‬ ush‬‭‭r‬ ods‬‭‭t‬hat‬‭‭l‬ink‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭e‬ levons‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭e‬ ither‬‭‭s‬ ide.‬‭‬‭A‭‬‭r‬ oll‬‭‬
‭input‬‭‬‭moves‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭e‬ ntire‬‭‭b
‬ ellcrank‬‭‭l‬eft‬‭‬‭or‬‭‭r‬ ight,roatating‬‭‬‭theelevons‬‭‬‭in‬‭‭o
‬ pposite‬‭‭d
‬ irections.‬‭‬
‭However,‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭pitch‬‭‭i‬nput‬‭‭r‬ otates‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭b
‬ elcrank‬‭‭i‬tself,‬‭‬‭which‬‭‭t‬ilts‬‭‭e‬ levons‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ ame‬‭‭w
‬ ay‬‭‭o
‬ n‬‭‭b
‬ oth‬‭‬
‭sides.‬‭‬‭When‬‭‭p
‬ itch‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‬‭roll‬‭‬‭commands‬‭‭h
‬ appent‬‭‭t‬ogether,‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭b
‬ ell‬‭‭c‬ rank‬‭‭b
‬ lends‬‭‬‭these‬‭‬
‭commands‬‭‬‭for‬‭‬‭a‭‬‬‭singular‬‭‬‭output‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭e‬ ach‬‭‭s‬ ide.‬‭‭M
‬ oving‬‭‭d
‬ own‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭c‬ hain,‬‭‭t‬here‬‭‭i‬s‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‭t‬rim‬‭‬
‭actuator.‬‭‬‭Trim‬‭‭a
‬ dds‬‭‬‭more‬‭‬‭permanent‬‭‭a
‬ djustment‬‭‬‭to‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭s‬ ystem‬‭‭s‬ o‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭p
‬ ilot‬‭‭d
‬ oes‬‭‭n
‬ ot‬‭‭h
‬ ave‬‭‬‭to‬‭‬
‭hold‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ tick‬‭‬‭in‬‭‭o
‬ ne‬‭‭p
‬ alce‬‭‬‭for‬‭‬‭long‬‭‭p
‬ eriods‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭time.‬‭‬‭The‬‭‭s‬ ystem‬‭‭s‬ till‬‭‭a
‬ llows‬‭‬‭moment‬‭‭t‬o‬‭ ‬
‭moment‬‭ ‬‭input,‬‭ ‭o
‬ n‬‭‬‭top‬‭‬‭of‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭t‬rim‬‭‭s‬ etting,‬‭‭w
‬ hich‬‭‬‭is‬‭‭c‬ ontroled‬‭‭f‬rom‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭c‬ ockpit..‬‭‬‭The‬‭‭p
‬ itch‬‭‬
‭trim‬‭‬‭actuator‬‭‬‭is‬‭‬‭at‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭b
‬ ack,connected‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ tick‬‭‬‭pusher‬‭‭w
‬ ith‬‭‭i‬ts‬‭‭o
‬ wn‬‭‭c‬ omputer‬‭‭c‬ ontrolled‬‭‬
‭actuator.‬‭‬‭The‬‭‭s‬ tick‬‭‭p
‬ usher‬‭‭c‬ an‬‭‭s‬ hake‬‭ ‬‭the‬‭‬‭stick‬‭‭a
‬ s‬‭‭w
‬ arning‬‭ ‬‭or‬‭‭a
‬ utomativcally‬‭‬‭push‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭s‬ tick‬‭‬
‭forward‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭a
‬ void‬‭‬‭or‬‭‬‭counter‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‭s‬ tall.‬‭‭S
‬‬

‭From‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭mixer,‬‭‭t‬he‬‭‭r‬ ods‬‭‭a
‬ t‬‭‭e‬ ach‬‭‭s‬ ide‬‭‭t‬ranslate‬‭‭m
‬ ovements‬‭‬‭to‬‭‭i‬ndividual‬‭‭s‬ ervo‬‭‭u
‬ nits.‬‭‭T
‬ he‬‭‬
‭servo‬‭‭c‬ onverts‬‭‭t‬his‬‭‭p
‬ hysical‬‭‭m
‬ ovement‬‭‬‭into‬‭‭h
‬ ydraulic‬‭‭p
‬ ressure‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‭r‬ egulate‬‭‭r‬ ows‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭a
‬ cutuator‬‭‬
‭at‬‭‭e‬ ach‬‭‭e‬ levon.‬‭‬‭From‬‭‬‭the‬‭‬‭inborad‬‭‭s‬ ervo,‬‭‭a
‬ ‭‬‬‭train‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‭r‬ ods‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭l‬inkages‬‭‭c‬ ontinue‬‭‭t‬o‬‭‬‭an‬‭‬
‭outerboard‬‭‬‭servo,‬‭‭w
‬ hich‬‭‬‭controls‬‭‭a
‬ nother‬‭ ‬‭set‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭actuators.‬‭‬

‭Citation:‬
‭1.‬ ‭Crickmore,‬‭‭P
‬ aul‬‭‭F
‬ .‬‭‬‭“Lockheed‬‭‭S
‬ R-71‬‭‬‭Blackbird.”,‬‭‭O
‬ sprey‬‭‬‭Publishing,‬‭‭1
‬ 986‬
‭2.‬ ‭Landis,‬‭‬‭Tony‬‭‭R
‬ .‬‭‭a
‬ nd‬‭‭D
‬ ennis‬‭‭R
‬ .‬‭‭J‬ enkins.‬‭‭“‬ Lockheed‬‭‭B
‬ lackbirds.”,‬‭‭S
‬ pecialty‬‭‬‭Press,‬‭‭2
‬ 004‬
‭3.‬ ‭Johnson,‬‭‭C
‬ larence‬‭‬‭L.‬‭‬‭“Kelly:‬‭‭M
‬ ore‬‭‭T
‬ han‬‭‭M
‬ y‬‭‭S
‬ hare‬‭‭o
‬ f‬‭‬‭It‬‭‭A
‬ ll.”,‬‭‭S
‬ mithsonian‬‭‭I‬nstitution‬‭‬
‭Press,‬‭‭1
‬ 985‬
‭4.‬ ‭Lorell,‬‭‬‭Mark.‬‭‭“‬ THE‬‭‭S ‬ EVOLUTION.”‬‭‭T
‬ TEALTH‬‭‭R ‬ he‬‭‭U
‬ .S.‬‭‬‭Combat‬‭‬‭Aircraft‬‭‬‭Industry,‬‭‬
‭1909-2000:‬‭‭S‬ tructure,‬‭‬‭Competition,‬‭‬‭Innovation‬‭,‬‭‬‭1st‬‭‬‭ed.,‬‭‭R
‬ AND‬‭‬‭Corporation,‬‭‬‭2003,‬‭‬
‭pp.‬‭‬‭97–114.‬‭‬‭JSTOR‬‭,‬‭‬‭http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7249/mr1696osd.13.‬‭‭A
‬ ccessed‬‭‬
‭18‬‭‭M
‬ ar.‬‭‬‭2024.‬
‭5.‬ ‭CNN,‬‭‬‭J.P‬‭‭(‬ n.d)‬‭‭S
‬ R-71‬‭‬‭Blackbird:‬‭‬‭The‬‭‬‭Cold‬‭‬‭War‬‭‬‭spy‬‭‬‭plane‬‭‬‭that’s‬‭‭s‬ till‬‭‬‭the‬‭‭w
‬ orld’s‬‭‬
f‭astest‬‭‭a‬ irplane,‬‭‭C
‬ NN‬‭‬
‭https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/sr-71-blackbird-spy-plane-design/index.html‬