How Does The US SR-72 Darkstar Fit Into The Future Of Military UAVs?

Summary The SR-72 Darkstar is a hypersonic UAV for intelligence gathering, using advanced technology to fly faster than previous models. The SR-72, similar in size to the SR-71, will be constructed with materials that can withstand hypersonic speeds for successful missions. Hypersonic technology is the future of warfare, with stealth attributes being replaced by the need for speed and accuracy in missile attacks.

The SR-72 Darkstar, often called the "Son of Blackbird," is an American hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance missions. Unlike current UAVs like the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, which can take hours before arriving at station, hypersonic UAVs could be on station six times faster. Before we examine how the Lockheed Martin SR-72 will affect the future of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the preferred military term for drones.

Let's examine it and discuss what we already know about it. To understand what the Lockheed Martin SR-72 will be used for, you must look back at the now-retired Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird. The Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird Before the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird came along, the United States military and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) relied upon the slow-flying, high-altitude Lockheed U-2 spy plane to gather intelligence about the enemy.

The CIA was not enamored with the U-2 and wanted an undetectable aircraft that could fly higher and faster than the U-2. Skunkworks Project Ar.