Thread

1. justin66 · 1790729101 · focus · HN ↗

   > The Air Force and NASA destroyed a $600 million supply of spare parts for the Blackbird fleet in 2007. The move came long after it seemed unlikely, if not impossible, that an SR-71A would return to operational service.

   There's also the issue of converting a tanker back so it can carry the SR-71's unique fuel again. And for that matter, making a supply of JP-7 again. No other planes today use JP-7.

   "It's not my money!"

   1. trhway · 1790730911 · focus · HN ↗

      it looks like it would be much easier to get a powerful regular fighter jet engine (even old Mig-25 engines were fine for 2.8M), stick it to pilotless frame and just launch. Work a bit on intake shape, modern materials, CFD, and probably you can push it well into 3+.

      1. walrus01 · 1790731211 · focus · HN ↗

         This is essentially the thought process behind the Hermeus Quarterhorse which is already a thing that exists and is in active development:

         <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.google.com&#x2F;search?client=firefox-b-d&amp;q=hermeus+quarterhorse" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.google.com&#x2F;search?client=firefox-b-d&amp;q=hermeus+q...

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.