The SR71 with its impressive & unorthodox appearance is the younger sister of the U2 No 808 with the Important difference that it is built to perform its duties at MACH 35 US STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND has stated that the BLACKBIRD is still holding the worlds speed record It can cross the United States in less than anhour The SR71 s have been used in all the chot spots of the world flying over Cuba China Vietnam Middle East etc in times of international tension or of local conflicts even operating in Okinawa Thailand & the Philippin 6s It is todays most sophisticated spy aircraft Technical Date Length 32 74 m Height 5 64 m max Speed 3700 kmh Span 16 95 m