SR-71 Was Retired Over Two Decades Ago, But Watching the Blackbird Won’t Get Old

The SR-71, otherwise known as the “Blackbird,” has now been retired for going on 25 years, having been grounded in 1999… that does not mean we won’t always love it.

Lockheed Martin’s engineering achievement became the world’s fastest — 2,193 mph –and highest-flying — 85,069 feet — manned aircraft as early as 1976 and still holds onto those records to this day.

The Blackbird was used by the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998 and was retired by NASA in 1999.

Only 32 of these recon bad boys were made and watching them fly still doesn’t get old.

In videos like the one above, you can watch the Blackbird take flight once again or for the first time, as the case may be.

It’s worth noting that the sleek, jet-black jet has also been introduced to the younger generation through entertainment sources like the “Call of Duty” franchise.