Boeing unveils 3,836mph HYPERSONIC spy plane for strikes at 5 TIMES speed of sound

THIS is Boeing’s new hypersonic successor to the Blackbird SR-71 spy plane which could soar through the skies at more than five times the speed of sound.

By Paul Harper /

BOEING

SPY PLANE: Boeing has unveiled the hypersonic successor to the Blackbird SR-71

The legendary Blackbird SR-71, designed by Lockheed Martin and operated by the US Air Force between 1964 and 1999, was the world’s fastest and highest-flying operational manned aircraft.

The SR-71was so fast it could outfly missiles  12 of the 32 models built were destroyed but none because of enemy fire.

Blackbird pilots needed to wear specialist pressurised suits as they flew at astonishing heights of 80,000ft.

Boeing has unveiled a new aircraft dubbed the “Son of the Blackbird” at an aviation event in Orlando, USA.

This warplane of the future is being designed to carry out lightning fast strikes and reconnaissance missions.

Hypersonic hi-tech: Military-grade gear can be seen here

 
In an increasingly uncertain world, the need for military speed is ever more important.
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An artist's impression of NASA's X-43A Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle aka 'Hyper-X' Getty Images
An artist's impression of NASA's X-43A Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle aka 'Hyper-X'

    The speed of sound, Mach 1, is around 767mph (1,235kmh) and the SR-71 could hit Mach 3.

    But Boeing’s potential aircraft could potentially travel at more than Mach 5 - an incredible 3,836mph (6,174kmh).

    Mail Online reports that the new Blackbird will need to take off, accelerate and slow down like the 1964 model.

    However the technology for hypersonic travel, that includes a rocket engines and supersonic jet engines, is now advanced enough to allow the project to begin.