The need for speed

"Some experts think that the SR-72 will be the start of a new era in avionics. Hypersonic drones. It will change warfare for sure. And travel? Will it change could long it will take to get to Asia? To Europe? Maybe."

For years, the SR-71 was the "King of the Hill". It was the fastest airbreather on the planet. How much so? It could fly over Russia, China, North Korea, or whomever - and they could not do spit about it. Why? The SR-71 could fly at Mach 3, at an altitude which was almost suborbital, and take high rez photos to its heart's content. But that was then, and it is now. Today, many countries either have, or on the verge of having, hypersonic missiles which would take this spy plane down. 

Currently, we have the "son of" the SR-71 being developed. And it is close to being ready. It is the long awaited SR-72, and it will be like the SR-71 - only better. How so? First off, it will be unmanned. A total drone. And - it will be quicker. Whereas the SR-71 could go Mach 3, the SR-72 is rumored to be capable of Mach 5. Truly hypersonic. 

One might ask, why do we need something like this? Don't we have excellent satellites? We do. Years ago, I was asked to be the backup to one of my co-workers who had clearance for the Keyhole Program. Keyhole was the code name for our spy satellites. This was in the 1980's. I was amazed at what these satellites were capable of back then. I can only imagine what they are capable of now. 

But if you need eyes on a rapidly developing issue, anywhere on the planet, nothing beats a good old fashioned airplane. Especially one which can go Mach 5. And the need will be filled in 2025, unless some problem pops up. Or Vladimir decides to nuke us before 2025.

Some experts think that the SR-72 will be the start of a new era in avionics. Hypersonic drones. It will change warfare for sure. And travel? Will it change could long it will take to get to Asia? To Europe? Maybe. In any event, the times they are a changing. Why? Because as usual, mankind has the need to speed. And the SR-72 is the thing which can scratch that itch.