Key Points and Summary: Lockheed Martin’s SR-72, nicknamed “Son of Blackbird,” is poised to replace the iconic SR-71 with cutting-edge stealth, hypersonic speed approaching MACH 6, and an option to deliver powerful conventional or nuclear-tipped missiles.
-Developed by Skunk Works, the unmanned design capitalizes on an advanced turbine-based combined cycle engine for subsonic flight and a scramjet for extreme speeds—making it nearly impossible for enemy air defenses to intercept.
-High-altitude operations and heat-resistant coatings further boost its survivability. While technical challenges and budget pressures remain—particularly amid competing next-gen projects—the SR-72’s dual roles in both reconnaissance and strategic strike could guarantee its future.
SR-72 Son of Blackbird Could Be Both a Recon and Bombing Platform
What could be better than the legendary SR-71 Blackbird? How about an offspring that is even more advanced? I am referring to the SR-72 “Son of Blackbird.”
Also known by the ominous moniker “Darkstar,” the SR-72 is earth-shattering in its ambition to replace the SR-71. The SR-72 will be stealthy with the ability to reach hypersonic speeds – perhaps as high as MACH 6. That is almost twice as fast as the “Papa” SR-71.
The Son of Blackbird has two goals – hoovering up the valuable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data over enemy targets – plus serving as a combat strike platform that can punish adversarial militaries.
A Stroke of Genius
The SR-72 is a progeny of the engineering and design personnel of the famous Lockheed Martin Skunkworks. They put the best people on the project and pushed creativity to the limit by going above and beyond for the Son of Blackbird.
SR-72: Challenging for the Enemy to Kill
The Air Force is foaming at the mouth to regularly get its hands on the SR-72.
This bird will cross continents within 30 minutes and give pinpoint recon data to intelligence analysts that can spot enemy activity worldwide. It will likely be too fast and maneuverable for enemy air defenses to react and shoot down.
The unmanned aspect will not put a human at risk.
Dual Engines Push the Envelope
The magic happens due to the turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine which pushes out that enviable speed and thrust ratio. It integrates scram jet technologies for better performance. The TBCC enables subsonic flight, and the scram jet makes the MACH 6 speed easy to attain.
SR-72 Artist Rendering. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Engineers at Skunkworks have minimized the radar cross section and created stealth coatings that make enemy sensors helpless when spotting the Son of Blackbird. Even if the SR-72 could be detected, it would travel too fast to intercept.
The high altitude makes it difficult for advanced air defenders like the S-400 and S-500 systems to destroy.
The SR-72 will also be autonomous with artificial intelligence guidance features that make it an unmanned craft that can efficiently execute recon or strike missions. The autonomous system will be fully maneuverable to outfox any intercepting missile.
SR-72 Son of Blackbird. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The Air Force doesn’t have to worry about human pilots who can’t handle the high-g maneuvers during flights. The SR-72 can push the limits beyond what a pilot can endure.
Delivering Nuclear-tipped Hypersonic Weapons
The Son of Blackbird can also utilize hypersonic missiles that might even be nuclear-tipped someday, making it a possible addition to the U.S. nuclear triad.
Thus, it is a strategic, intercontinental asset that can spy with the best of them and deliver strike capabilities to important enemy targets such as hardened missile silos and radar installations.
Can It Stand the Heat?
One issue with the Son of Blackbird will be the heat generated by the speed and high altitude. This could affect the stealth coating.
The SR-72 would need heat shields that could add to the aircraft’s weight and make it slower and less maneuverable. The geniuses at Skunkworks in Palmdale, California, are likely prepared for that contingency.
SR-72 Artist Rendering. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
However, like all whiz-bang weapons programs, the SR-72 requires considerable time, money, and resources. Autonomous technology may not be mature yet. Going from the TBCC engine and transitioning to the scram jet has never been done before. Adding strategic hypersonic missiles will again add to the weight.
Will Donald Trump Cancel the SR-72?
The incoming Donald Trump national security team will need to make difficult choices concerning which revolutionary airplane program to choose.
The Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter costs an estimated $300 million. The Navy’s F/A-XX doesn’t even have a price estimate, but it will be expensive. Both programs may have to merge to save money.
Some Trump team members, along with Elon Musk’s cost cutting effort Department of Government Efficiency, have indicated that they prefer unmanned flight to manned flight. That could work in the SR-72’s favor. Also helping the SR-72 is its multi-modal mission set: recon and strike.
The SR-72 Has Much To Offer America
I love the idea of the SR-72, primarily if it could deliver a nuclear weapon someday or even conventional hypersonic missiles without a nuclear warhead. This versatility may save it from cancellation.
However, it will take considerable funds to keep the program going. The Son of Blackbird has much potential and could make China and Russia take notice, as both countries are not equipped with air defenses to match their speed and maneuverability.
The SR-72 is an exciting platform with much potential. Let’s see if the Trump administration agrees.
SR-72 Image: Creative Commons.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
