Read the forum code of contact
By: - 15th January 2009 at 01:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Also, in clean configuration, would the M-21 have been able to fly faster than other "standard-engined" Blackbirds?
No. The Blackbird wasn't limited by the power of it's engines but by engine temp and/or shock impingment.
By: - 15th January 2009 at 01:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Ah, that is a very good point. However, maybe it could have increased acceleration and range over the other Blackbirds.
By: - 15th January 2009 at 06:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Reading about the Blackbird, I stumbled across an interesting piece of information-the M-21's J-58's were improved engines and produced 40000 lbs. thrust as compared to the SR-71 J-58's 34500 lbs. thrust:http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/m-21.php
First, how could they have made the J-58 make even more power?
Also, in clean configuration, would the M-21 have been able to fly faster than other "standard-engined" Blackbirds?
Static reference thrust at sea level tells you nothing about the actual thrust where it matters.
So stuff it.
By: - 15th January 2009 at 08:38 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It strikes me that the D-21 drone could have had potential, with major upgrades of course, as a sort of SR-71 replacement. With upgraded avionics and controls, it could have been put into service again, to replace it's more expensive cousin. Though satellites were the de facto replacements for the Blackbirds role, they lacked some of it's capabilities, especially regarding time sensitive recon. The D-21 was capable of launch from B-52 pylons, so there might have been potential for continued operations.
I know it would be expensive, and perhaps of dubious benefit, but I do feel that it could have been useful.
By: - 15th January 2009 at 13:14 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Static reference thrust at sea level tells you nothing about the actual thrust where it matters.
So stuff it.
Why would they have bothered if it didn't translate to more power at altitude? :rolleyes:
By: - 15th January 2009 at 13:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It strikes me that the D-21 drone could have had potential, with major upgrades of course, as a sort of SR-71 replacement. With upgraded avionics and controls, it could have been put into service again, to replace it's more expensive cousin. Though satellites were the de facto replacements for the Blackbirds role, they lacked some of it's capabilities, especially regarding time sensitive recon. The D-21 was capable of launch from B-52 pylons, so there might have been potential for continued operations.I know it would be expensive, and perhaps of dubious benefit, but I do feel that it could have been useful.
Wouldn't have made a bad cruise missile either.
By: - 15th January 2009 at 13:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Why would they have bothered if it didn't translate to more power at altitude? :rolleyes:
Do you know if it really does have more power at altitude, or just again guesswork?
By: - 15th January 2009 at 16:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Do you know if it really does have more power at altitude, or just again guesswork?
I'd never read 40k. I have seen 34k instead of the usual 32k in several books though (Warbirdtech and Aerofax probably).
By: - 15th January 2009 at 17:28 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Increased thrust makes sense as it is carrying the heavy D-21 drone and has to be able to get up to Mach 3 for launch.
By: - 15th January 2009 at 18:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Increased thrust makes sense as it is carrying the heavy D-21 drone and has to be able to get up to Mach 3 for launch.
11,000lbs not to mention the drag associated with it.
By: - 15th January 2009 at 19:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I wonder if they jacked up the engine power to make up for the added drag caused by the decision to stop using the nose and tail covers for the D-21? They had problems getting them to separate in-flight so they stopped using them, likely causing the drag of the drone to increase during carriage.
By: - 16th January 2009 at 00:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Actually, they also turned on the D-21's engines while it was still on the M-21 and used its thrust to get to M3 more easily, which leaves me wondering why they would have still increased the M-21's thrust.
Posts: 86
By: bdn12 - 15th January 2009 at 01:25
Reading about the Blackbird, I stumbled across an interesting piece of information-the M-21's J-58's were improved engines and produced 40000 lbs. thrust as compared to the SR-71 J-58's 34500 lbs. thrust:
http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/m-21.php
First, how could they have made the J-58 make even more power?
Also, in clean configuration, would the M-21 have been able to fly faster than other "standard-engined" Blackbirds?