Lockheed A-12 Black Eagle (Hypothetical)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_A-12

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YF-12

 

"The Lockheed A-12 was a reconnaissance aircraft built for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by Lockheed's famed Skunk Works, based on the designs of Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. The A-12 was produced from 1962 to 1964, and was in operation from 1963 until 1968. The single-seat design, which first flew in April 1962, was the precursor to both the twin-seat U.S. Air Force YF-12 prototype interceptor and the famous SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft's final mission was flown in May 1968, and the program and aircraft retired in June of that year. Officially secret for over forty years, the CIA began declassifying A-12 program details for release in 2007" --Wikipedia

 

Another "what if" aircraft...can you imagine an interceptor version of the SR-71? Even if they only built a couple of squadrons, it could be a game changer because of its speed and range. (I have no idea whether or not it would have been a good dogfighter, but it would certainly have been able to run away if it got into trouble!)

 

ANW

HUD 4 v1.1 b10

YF-12A Blackbird (that is the offical name.) was a Real dog, just like the SR-71 and the even faster A-12. YF-12A topped out at ~1760kts vs the SR-71A's ~1824Kts. The A-12 single seat Recon plane had a sped of ~1950kts. Please note that no offical sped has ever been reported for either the A-12 or YF-12A. The SR-71A Speed records of note are likely lowballed to hide acutal performance of the aircraft.

 

Hope that is heplfull.

Oh, I should add the DATA rating for the YF-12A Blackbird would be 0.5/0.0 in Paper Rules. Meaning if it can't out run the missile or gun it is D.E.D. dead.

 

As far as maneuverability? How about taking the state of Wisconsin to turn 180 degrees? Most any fighter could turn inside of that.

 

The ONLY advantage the Blackbird would have had was the near 100nm launch range vs closing targets of the AIM-47 Falcon. BTW the AIM-47 was developed into..... The AIM-54 Phoenix. In-Fact, Snoopy (The B-58 modified to test the AN/ASG-18 Radar and AIM-47 Falcon missile for the YF-12A, was also used to test the later AN/AWG-9 Weapon system and the AIM-54 Phoenix.