The SR-71 Blackbird is one of the most spectacular planes, both in shape and in performance. It was designed to fly at altitudes of over 85.000 feet, and at speeds beyond mach 3 (2190 mph). The Russian Mig 25 could reach Mach 3, but at that speed it was a matter of minutes before the engines on this plane would fry themselves. The X-15 is the only plane that could fly both faster and higher, but only for minutes, while these were cruising altitude and speed for the Blackbird.

The SR-71 Blackbird was developed in the late '50s and early 60s at the 'Skunk works' at Lockheed. The line started with the Lockheed A-12, which first flew in 1962. In a way it was one of the first planes in which stealth was one of the desired faculties. Along with high altitude and high speed it was meant to make the plane more or less invulnerable to countermeasures. Like the U-2, it was designed for over-flight reconnaissance. In the wake of the U-2 incident in Russia, an agreement was signed between the US and the USSR, that prohibited these over flights. Thus the SR-71 was developed, with side way looking radar and cameras, and a 2 men crew. The first SR-71 flew in 1964. All in all, 36 or 38 of these planes were built, and they served for over 35 years all over the world.