The SR-71 Blackbird set its fastest recorded speed on June 28, 1976, during an official speed record attempt. The aircraft, piloted by Capt. Eldon W. Joersz and Maj. George T. Morgan, achieved a blistering speed of Mach 3.3 (approximately 2,193.2 mph or 3,529.6 km/h) over a 15-mile straight course. This event solidified the SR-71’s position as the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft in history, a record that still stands. The conditions during this flight required the aircraft to fly at extremely high altitudes, around 85,000 feet (25,900 meters), to minimize drag and maximize performance. The engines—Pratt & Whitney J58 turbojets—operated in a unique ramjet mode at such speeds, utilizing fuel efficiently despite the extreme heat and stress on the airframe.
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