Summary Evidence points to the SR-72 nearing production. Budget shortages pose uncertainty in Air Force acquisition. Lockheed's SR-72 project transitioned from secret to open status and back to secret.
Evidence is mounting that the Lockheed Martin SR-72 (aka the "Son of Blackbird") may be in production and nearing its entry into service. The United States has famously developed and produced spy planes in secret (like the F-117 Nighthawk). The Air Force is known to operate (or have in development) a number of secret or semi-secret stealth spy drones .
There has been speculation in the media that the Air Force may have a spy plane that is keeping secret (there could easily be more than one secret platform). The SR-72 "Darkstar" may be nearing production Sandoxx News has gathered a pile of evidence (some circumstantial) and noted an increasing paper trail that suggests the SR-72 may be moving towards service in the not-too-distant future. The legendary Lockheed SR-71, which flew at speeds of Mach 3+, was an icon of the Cold War.
It was retired in 1998, and work on the SR-72 replacement did not start until 2006. According to the Sandboxx publication, the SR-72 is " facing compounding budgetary shortfalls, which could further complicate matters for the Air Force. .
." So, it is still unclear whether the Air Force will purchase it. Aviation Week reported , " The biggest secret in Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics division made news again last week.
A classified contract that involves .