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SR71 Blackbird

The Lockheed SR71 Blackbird was faster than a bullet (Mach3+). It was used as a long-range high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft. Swedish Airforce fighter pilo...
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The Lockheed SR71 Blackbird was faster than a bullet (Mach3+). It was used as a long-range high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft. Swedish Airforce fighter pilots in JA37 Viggen have managed to lock their radar on an SR-71 on multiple occasions within shooting range, which is a huge accomplishment.
On 29 June 1987, an SR71 where on a mission to spy on Soviet postings when one of the engines exploded. The aircraft lost altitude and turned to search for the Swedish coast. Thus, Swedish airspace was violated, and two armed Saab JA37 Viggen were ordered there. They found that the SR71 was in obvious distress. It was decided that the Swedish Air Force would escort the plane out of the Baltic Sea. Data from the NSA showed that Soviet MiG25s with order to shoot down the SR-71 or force it to land had started right after the engine failure. A MiG25 had locked a missile on the damaged SR71, but as the aircraft was under escort, no missiles were fired.
This event had been classified for over 30 years. On 29 November 2018, the Swedish pilots involved were awarded medals from the USAF.
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