The retirement of the legendary SR-71 Blackbird was not simply due to the end of the Cold War, but a result of its high operational costs, fierce interservice rivalry, and operational inflexibility.

The SR-71 Blackbird spy plane could fly faster than Mach 3, more than 2,000 miles per hour. This allowed it to easily avoid surface-to-air missiles.

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird outside its storage hangar at Washington Dulles International Airport. Designed and built in the 1960s, the SR-71 Blackbird remains the fastest jet-propelled aircraft ever ...

Built to outrun missiles and MiGs, the SR-71 Blackbird flew faster, higher, and longer than any jet in history. Discover how this Cold War marvel became the ultimate spy plane—and why it was ...