SR-71 Facts: 29 Details That Might Surprise You

The SR-71 Was Designed In Secret

The Cold War really ramped up in the 1960s, and the United States needed a compliment to the U-2. Afraid of the public finding out about the Blackbird and a subsequent leak – the CIA, Lockheed and the U.S. Air Force designed and built the SR-71 in secrecy. Security clearance kept employees, crew, pilots, etc. from ever discussing the project outside of work, even with their wives. Work started in 1958 and speculation started not long after. Many inside the aviation industry knew something was up at Lockheed, but no one really knew what was being built until President Johnson announced the SR-71 Blackbird in 1964.