173K views · 2.7K reactions | Meet the Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest operational aircraft ever. #engineering | Interesting Engineering | Facebook

Built in secrecy by Lockheed’s Skunk Works, the SR-71 Blackbird was the fastest aircraft ever flown. At 85,000 feet, it could outrun missiles, literally flying faster than explosions behind it. When it was retired in 1990, it didn’t slow down. On its final flight to the museum, it broke four world speed records, including Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. in just over an hour. #TheWarRoom #SR71Blackbird #ColdWarTech #fblifestyle | Artifact Archives