As recently became known, NASA apparently plans to restore and fly again one of legendary SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft with tail number 844, whose last flight was nearly 27 years ago, while aircraft itself is already 59 years old.
Now it turned out NASA began searching for old test engineers connected with SR-71 Blackbird program. Aviation Week writes about this.
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Specifically, former U.S. Air Force and NASA test engineer Relja, who in his time worked on SR-71A, simply could not believe his ears. NASA asked Relja to provide his expertise for secret attempt to return one SR-71 Blackbird to service.
But he took skeptical view of this idea and declined participation with words "You know, I'm already too old for this." Relja told this in Aviation Week interview. Engaging old engineers connected with program should simplify SR-71 Blackbird restoration and return to flight, since they have significant aircraft experience and know all its subtleties.
However SR-71 Blackbird last took to sky nearly 27 years ago, and this aircraft's project lasted well over one decade. Therefore in U.S. currently not many veterans remain who have not yet retired and are ready to join project.
Besides effectively absent experience working with this aircraft, several more critically important problems also exist. Specifically, in 2007 U.S. destroyed SR-71 Blackbird spare parts stockpile worth $600 million. Meaning spare parts if remaining in warehouses are evidently not all, and their quantity is very limited.
Production of such spare parts and assemblies was stopped approximately three decades ago, so manufacturing new ones is simply impossible, and restarting production lines for one aircraft is simply impractical. Therefore such spare parts situation will likely be attempted to resolve through cannibalizing other SR-71 Blackbirds, which currently also serve effectively as museum exhibits.
Additionally, fuel problem exists, since SR-71 Blackbird engines require specific JP-7 fuel, which is not manufactured on regular basis. Therefore this question will also need to be resolved by NASA on their path to restoring one SR-71 Blackbird to flying condition.
Important to note NASA currently does not officially confirm intent to restore SR-71 Blackbird with tail number 844 to flying condition. But currently everything points to precisely such intentions.
SR-71 Blackbird restoration goal may be intent to create new high-speed experimental X-plane aircraft. SR-71 Blackbird restoration in turn may be needed by NASA as flying laboratory for developing solutions for future aircraft.
If SR-71 Blackbird is indeed restored, its first flight will become genuinely landmark event marking legend's rebirth. But for now we can only await new details and official NASA statements, and follow course of events.
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