Dragon Lady U-2R TR-1
airboyd.tv Courtesy United States Air Force
Posts Tagged ‘lockheed’
SR-71 Blackbird
The Lockheed SR-71 is an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed Skunk Works as a Black project. The SR-71 was unofficially named the Blackbird, and called the Habu by its crews, referring to an Okinawan species of pit viper. Clarence “Kelly” Johnson was responsible for many of the design’s innovative concepts. A defensive feature of the aircraft was its high speed and operating altitude, whereby, if a surface-to-air missile launch were detected, standard evasive action was simply to accelerate. The SR-71 was in service from 1964 to 1998 as top secret reconnaissance aircraft. Only 32 SR-71’s were built. Frequently called the Cold War Bird. SR-71 was originally classified as the R-12. Public disclosure of the program and its renaming came as a shock to everyone at the Skunk Works and to Air Force personnel involved in the program. All of the printed maintenance manuals, flight crew handbooks, blueprints, training slides and materials had to be reprinted. A difficult issue with flight at over Mach 3 is the high temperatures generated. As an aircraft moves through the air, the air in front of the aircraft compresses and this heat conducts into the aircraft’s airframe. To help with this, high temperature materials were needed and the airframe was substantially made of titanium, obtained from the USSR, at the height of the Cold War. Lockheed used many guises to prevent the Soviet government from knowing what the titanium was to be …
NASA’s ER-2 Dodge Charger Mobile Chase Car
airboyd.tv Courtesy NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Landing an ER-2, NASA’s long-winged, high-altitude Earth science aircraft, can be tricky. Its wings give the aircraft glider-like qualities, the aircraft is sensitive to crosswinds, and its ascent and descent rates are fast and steep. Even normal landings can be difficult for the pilot, encased in a full pressure suit. That’s where NASA’s recently acquired Dodge Charger safety chase car comes in.
Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” – Buz Carpenter’s Longest Flight
Museum Docent & SR-71 pilot Buz Carpenter describes his longest flight on a top secret reconnaissance mission. Learn more about the Lockheed SR-71A “Blackbird” on display at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA www.nasm.si.edu
USAF Resources
Lockheed U-2 Flight – The Training + Extra Flight Scenes
Featuring some of the unique training required for high altitude flight. From how to eject to the effects of the low air pressure at 70000ft on a bottle of water and a rubber glove. Also features some extra scenes and alternative commentary from the flight itself as well as a special gift for Captain Slow to treasure forever.
USAF Resources
Bob’s ARMY NAVY Store Tribute to Army, Navy, Air Force & Marines of WWII
Bob is 83 years young and served in the Navy, first at age 15! He now has the Army/Navy Store in Mojave, CA. Its more like a museum and a great place to spend a couple of hours. Its 1 block East of Denny’s off Hwy. 14. Closed Sun. & Mon. Otherwise OPEN 9-5.
USAF Resources
Lockheed U-2 USAF Aerospace Power
airboyd.tv Courtesy United States Air Force Mission The U-2 provides high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance, day or night, in direct support of US and allied forces. It delivers critical imagery and signals intelligence to decision makers throughout all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, low-intensity conflict, and large-scale hostilities. Features The U-2S is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude/near space reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft providing signals, imagery, and electronic measurements and signature intelligence, or MASINT. Long and narrow wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics and allow it to quickly lift heavy sensor payloads to unmatched altitudes, keeping them there for extended periods of time. The U-2 is capable of gathering a variety of imagery, including multi-spectral electro-optic, infrared, and synthetic aperture radar products which can be stored or sent to ground exploitation centers. In addition, it also supports high-resolution, broad-area synoptic coverage provided by the optical bar camera producing traditional film products which are developed and analyzed after landing. The U-2 also carries a signals intelligence payload. All intelligence products except for wet film can be transmitted in near real-time anywhere in the world via air-to-ground or air-to-satellite data links, rapidly providing critical information to combatant commanders. MASINT provides indications of …
USAF Resources
Bob’s Army Navy Surplus in Southern California (Mojave)
A fun place if you ever pass through Mojave, CA. Where hwy 58 & hwy 14 cross! Military surplus, collectables and antiques! Drop in and say HI! to Bob, who is 83 years young or his daughter Shannon! 1 Block East of Denny’s Restaurant, at 2100 Mono St.