As the continued holder of the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft since 1976, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird could quite literally outrun anything that came its way – even missiles.
Operated by the US Air Force and NASA between 1966 and the end of the millennium, the Cold War strategic reconnaissance aircraft was developed during the 1960s by Lockheed’s Skunk Works division.
When conducting missions, the Pratt & Whitney JT11D-20 turbojet-powered type flew at speeds beyond Mach 3 and altitudes above 80,000ft, enabling it to outpace threats.
Its iconic shape was designed around stealth capabilities along with materials that could provide a reduced radar signature.
Around 85% of the aircraft’s structure is made from titanium because of the substance's low density and high strength characteristics along with resistance to heat (the melting point for the material is more than 1,600°C).
As a result of cost control limitations, the use of titanium on the exterior was limited generally to components that were exposed to the highest temperatures including the exhaust fairings and the leading edges of the wings.
When the SR-71 was being developed, titanium was in short supply in the United Stat…
