News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on SR-71 Blackbird Astro-Nav System (a.k.a. R2-D2) worked by tracking the stars. Parent comment

Re:SR-71 Blackbird Astro-Nav System (a.k.a. R2-D2) worked by... by legitster on Tuesday September 26, 2023 @03:00AM (#37655465)
The A-12 was the original single seat version developed for the CIA. But eventually the Air-Force was given all responsibility over the planes and they re-designated the plane and added a second seat to fit their pilot philosophy.

There were supposed to be more variants, even tactical bombers but military politics and budget constraints and yadda yadda yadda.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:SR-71 Blackbird Astro-Nav System (a.k.a. R2-D2) worked by... by mauvehaus on Tuesday September 26, 2023 @08:51AM (#37658524)
The Air Force museum in Dayton has a YF-12, which was the prototype of the interceptor variant. It's readily distinguishable from the A-12 and SR-71 because the chines don't extend to the front of the nose. This so that the nose cone could be made of material that is transparent to radar.
[ Parent | on HN ]