Tag Archives: Col. Richard H. Graham’s book

In January 1984 a rare incident occurred when the SR-71 Blackbird drag chute doors opened inadvertently at high Mach, creating problems, as RSO Lt. Col. Curt Osterheld (Ret) explains in Col. Richard H. Graham’s book The Complete Book of the SR-71 Blackbird: Pilot Lt. Col. Joe Matthews and I were …

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3-strategic reconnaissance aircraft remained the world’s fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft. From 80,000 feet, it could survey 100,000 square miles of Earth’s surface per hour. The iconic Lockheed SR-71 required aircrews to wear a special silver pressure suit to ensure their safety. This proved to …