Lockheed SR‑71 Blackbird remains fastest crewed air‑breathing aircraft at Mach 3.2
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The Lockheed SR‑71 Blackbird is the fastest crewed, air‑breathing aircraft ever to enter service, cruising at Mach 3.2, according to simpleflying.com.
Its Pratt & Whitney J58 engine, classified as a recovered bleed‑air turbojet, contributed only 17% of thrust at top speed while inlet spikes supplied the remaining 83% by ram‑air dynamics, and the aircraft required continuous afterburner use throughout missions.