By Johnny Franks, Warrior Contributor
The SR-72 or “Son of Blackbird” is a groundbreaking achievement in the realm of hypersonic flight. This advanced aircraft, which is still in the development phase, is poised to be the successor to the iconic SR-71 Blackbird. It represents a monumental stride in aviation technology, highlighting the U.S. commitment to maintaining air dominance in the face of modern challenges such as great power conflict and asymmetrical warfare.
A standout feature of the SR-72 is its ability to reach hypersonic speeds up to Mach 6, significantly surpassing the SR-71’s maximum speed of Mach 3.3. Such velocity not only outpaces any missile but also eludes contemporary air defense systems, enabling the U.S. to conduct reconnaissance and potentially strike missions in fiercely contested areas—a key advantage in scenarios involving major global powers. This technological feat is achieved through groundbreaking advancements in propulsion, particularly the turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine, which ingeniously blends traditional jet propulsion for takeoff with a scramjet engine for hypersonic travel. This dual-engine capability represents an extraordinary feat in modern engineering, adeptly managing performance across diverse speed ranges.
In terms of great power conflicts, the SR-72’s capabilities are significant. Its capacity for rapid intelligence gathering and striking aligns with the U.S. National Defense Strategy’s emphasis on preparedness for intense conflicts. With adversaries like Russia and China bolstering their air defenses, the SR-72’s speed and stealth capabilities become crucial assets. Moreover, the development of the SR-72 reflects a strategic pivot in U.S. military planning, signaling a move towards more versatile and dynamic platforms adept at operating in the increasingly complex battlefields of the future. This shift resonates with the Pentagon’s modernization priorities, particularly in the domains of space, cyber, and autonomous technologies.
In comparison to other existing hypersonic vehicles, such as the X-43 and X-51 WaveRider, which primarily served as experimental platforms to test scramjet technology, the SR-72 is designed with a broader range of capabilities. The SR-72 incorporates advanced materials to withstand extreme thermal stresses, likely involving carbon-carbon composites, which are a step beyond the SR-71’s titanium skin designed for heat dissipation at high speeds. Furthermore, the SR-72’s design emphasizes not just speed but also stealth and operational versatility, integrating advanced avionics and possibly even AI-assisted systems for autonomous operations, which were not features of earlier hypersonic aircraft.
There have been various speculations and reports about the SR-72’s development timeline. In 2017, Lockheed Martin claimed the combined-cycle hypersonic engine was ready for real-world application. This claim followed years of ground testing, which reportedly started in 2013. The company suggested that a single-engine demonstrator could begin flying by the early 2020s, with a target of 2030 for a twin-engine platform to enter operational service. The project is pushing the boundaries of current aerospace capabilities. Speculations indicate that flight testing may commence in the mid-2020s, marking a pivotal stage in the SR-72’s transition from concept to operational reality.
Johnny Franks, Warrior Contributor, holds an MA from American University in Foreign Policy and National Security
