@@talljohn5350dude, china is no joke when it comes to manufacturing, just take a gander at how many j-20 they have, a bit more than 20. Idc how good or bad it is, china can produce as many as they see fit given time.
McNamara was such an ass. He’s the one who wouldn’t allow the taking out of SAM sites in Vietnam prior to then being operational because there may be Russian or Chinese personnel present during setup. He’s personally responsible for more airmen being shot down over Vietnam than anyone else.
To be fair, it's very easy to Monday-morning Quarterback McNamera - specially with the benefit of hindsight. However, I doubt there are many people who could have done the herculean tasks he was given, let alone walk away with record that looked much better.
@A_Haunted_Pancake In all honesty, I admit MacNamara's brilliance, but I don't feel it suited him for that position. My overall impressions of him were formed by David Halberstam"s "The Reckoning " which looks at Ford and Nissan from the end of WW 2 to the mid-Eightiies. MacNamara was part of the braintrust that helped Henry Ford II salvage the company from the mess Henry Ford had left it at his death.
I have to say, If i was in Skunk Works in the late 60's, Putting a nuke in it would have been one of my first thoughts after hearing of the max speed of the airframe.
First thoughts aside, just as with an Oxcart airframe, any payload would need to hold up and remain reliably functional at the elevated operating temperatures of around 600 Farenheit. As these airframes and systems are thorougly thermally loaded and fly for many hours, every bolt, cable and electronic componant must be suitably rated. That would require the development and certification of a new nuclear device, no easy task.
@@trespireI've wondered about that... Would a torpedo like gas assisted rear release cut down on the heat and friction on the weapon? I know air flow will be an issue behind the craft, but aren't there shapes that can overcome that as well? Sorry just a stupid monkey asking questions...
@@nik07nik Outside the atmosphere, and they would see it coming for a long time. Think of it as a hypersonic weapon, except it's only the plane moving that fast. Total game changer for the 1960's.
Love the production on this video. I came onboard because I liked "Discovery Channel Wings" and "Firepower", we want the history and eye candy, and we want a modern update.... Thanks for you hard work!
When I was a teenager (mid to late 1980s) I had the privilage to watch an SR71 being fuelled, take off, perform flybys and land again at an airshow at RAF Mildenhall. Breathtaking! 🙂
The very first model airplane I ever built was an SR-71. I am still fascinated with the jet today, much as I was in 1987, when I was 15, getting glue all ever everything!
Happy subscriber here! Excellent presentation (can't think of one that wasn't) with great historical and present day context. Thank you! May the new year exceed your hopes and wishes, best wishes to you and your loved ones.
If the air force bought the b71 bomber the b2 bomber probably would not be flying now, and who knows if the b21 would even be made. In this alternate universe the b71 would probably be the first aircraft into Baghdad in 91
The SR-71 was legendary, but as it turns out, it may very well be having its legacy revived in the SR-72. Though I do wonder about the SR-72's manned/unmanned situation. To have a jet capable of that record-breaking speed and not being able to physically fly in it? That'd be such a bummer.
@@well-blazeredman6187 Having the choice means you can use the thing and not risk a human life on the highest risk missions where the aircraft isn't likely to survive. I wish my car was optionally-manned.
@@bowencreer3922 Too many years with planes and guns. I worship at those alters. My plane is a ‘38 and my pistol is a 1917 1911. I hear someone use the wrong name for the H4 my eye twitches.
I met a super smart guy that was interested in my startup and the thermodynamic cycle I invented 20 years ago. In our introductions he mentioned his experience with turning the SR-71 into a nuclear bomber and shared how he was flying in a contraption underneath the SR to prove concept. He pulled out a bomber jacket patch they gave him for the mission from his wallet and was explaining the symbols on the patch. I believed him, he had lots of details and who would go thru the trouble of designing a patch that looked real to support their story.
Mr Hollings. When you say "I'm Alex Hollings... and this... is AirPower" goosebumps appear on my skin. Your voice, your tone, your speech, and the quality of the material you represent.... yeah goosebumps. Thank you, Sir!
I can't remember the details but I was stationed at Davis Monthan AFB in the 80's and there was remains of an SR-71 that had shot itself down while testing to see if it could become a fighter. Fires a gun and ran i to its own bullets. It was a bunch of boxes so it may have been BS but that was the story anyway. I use to love driving around the bone yard looking at the old aircraft.
I love that Skunk Works never forgets its roots and the greatness of Kelly Johnson and other legendary engineers of the greatest time of development of air power! Thank you also Alex, for never forgetting these giants and their designs! Happy New Year 🎊🎆🍾🥂🎉❤️
A competing story was that the flight computer failed on Gary Powers' U-2 causing him to drop to 40,000 feet in order to be able for a human to fly the lady. Also, it is said that testers of the A-12 were one day teasing the B-70 guys about the progress, and the B-70 guys responded with the quip that they lost parts on test flights bigger than the A-12.
Outfitting the SR-71 with nukes probably felt like an easy end-of-week project compared to p.i.t.a it must have been to invent a supersonic, automatous drone, mount it to the Blackbirds (M-21) back and launch it at supersonic speeds - All with 1960s technology. Yet they pulled it off ... more or less. (Look up D-21 Drone)
Pretty awesome episode Alex ,there's absolutely no way the magnificent SR71 hasn't evolved since even it's last flight. True aerodynamics ists and scientists are the lifeblood of progress
I can only imagine what state our military would be in today if not for McNamara. It seemed like he killed so many great programs out of pride and hubris.
Alex, do you think after China unveiled its 6th gen fighter it will push the US Military and Government to grudgingly foot the huge bill for our own? Or do you think they will continue to reconsider the program and design as they have been for several months?
I think the generations dont really matter at this point. I think the F35 (even with its setbacks).. will still be more advanced & more effective vs. any Temu-special "6th gen" fighter from China. And the F35 is only getting better with time.. as its issues are sorted out. But developing an advanced F22 successor would make sense though. Just for the air force only. Trying to make multi-role, do-it-all stealth fighters just over-complicates it
When did China unveil a 6th Gen aircraft? I've seen a couple of pretend 6th Gen, being escorted by their 4+, that they claim is 5th Gen. Are those the turds you speak of? Here's a helpful hint: if China or Russia makes a claim, cut it in half, then add one, and you will have the actual generation of the weapon platform they have built. They built an F-117 knockoff and a flying Dorito. I guarantee, they both have an enormous radar cross section, and a tech level older than me.
2 things, 1: it is supposed to say sr 71 in the title and not sr72 since that will confuse a lot of people 2: besides the kind of goofy drums in the background it is a really really nice video as always
This episode of AirPower feels like Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. Both were outstanding, and had me thoroughly engrossed. Then - they just ended. No resolution. No happy ending. No... nothing. I hope there's a sequel coming that tells us what winds up happening, because this just made me hungry for more! Here's to hoping that master Jedi Johnson comes back as a force-ghost to defeat the specter of the evil Darth McNamara!
McNamara did only a few things right, the concept of a replacement for the A4 Skyhawk which culminated in Vought giving us the A7 Corsair II is one of them. And Tom Connelly doesn’t get enough credit for standing up to him so the Navy could get the F14 Tomcat. The Grumman swept wing fighter deterred Soviet bombers like the Tu 22. Lockheed Martin’s designs were/are always something different like the F104 and the Joint Strike Fighter.
I would welcome episodes devoted entirely to significant aerospace people, including infamous individuals like McNamara. I don't mean covering EVERYTHING about these individuals, just details on how they influenced aerospace--especially positively, but also negatively. I think this would help provide the glue that ties everything together.
I’m a little surprised you haven’t done a video yet on PRC flying at least one (possibly two) competitors for their sixth generation fighter program. Rumor is they may have leapfrogged the US on this; seems like pretty big news and would be interested to hear your take.
29 SR-71s produced, 12 lost in accidents, that leaves 17 remaining airframes. Fifteen of those are in museums, 3 owned by Lockheed and 3 by NASA, I don't think it would be a worthwhile refurbishment program... The money would be better spent upgrading our ICBMs.
Interesting video! However, while the SR-71 had many advantages over the XB-70 that were pointed out, the XB-70 demonstrated Mach 3 capability and would have operated at this speed. It simply didn't receive the money necessary to continue the development. It's chief advantage over a B-71 bomber proposal was that it was designed and engineered as a bomber. Principally its size was vastly greater and would allow for a weapons array as opposed to trying to add on singular weapons after the fact. The comparison is like comparing an F/A-18 to a B-52.
@seagie382 but they really don't, not in a serious way, joking though for sure. On occasions it could do better, but only under VERY specific atmospheric conditions and not fully within the pilots control.
Love how the US and Australia change between Aircraft and missiles as if missiles are the winner in upcoming Wars. Missiles are expensive, very limited and you need the right platforms and logistics to get them loaded up.
not exactly surprising seeing that the Smallest nuclear weapon at the time is the W54 Nuclear weapon light enough to be man carried also the warhead of AGM-64 Walleye Guided missile.
So, the new SR-72 will have a B-72 variant? Tell me more Alex. 🤓 imagine the SR-71’s being used as one way drones? Hell of a way to say goodbye to the fleet. Supersonic nuclear drones. 😎
I think the roll could have been a rapid response fighter that could take out Russian Bombers or fighters at range with a small nuclear air to air missile. Then Other interceptors could have engaged as a secondary wave. The A-12 could have also be used to engage ballistic missiles with the right munitions to know them out. Of course we had missiles that did that but I imagine getting closer would be more accurate. I imagine if we took politics and egos out of the equation we could have had some really awesome military vehicles and weapon systems.
A super high-tech aircraft report and a detailed history lesson all rolled into one! Well, no surprise : it’s Alex Hollings, doing what he does better than anyone! 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍
I really don't get why you put half the video inside a tiny rectangle. If you want the name to be seen, just throw on a watermark in a corner and leave the video full screen.
My guess is the low quality of the framed old videos made it more appealing to make them smaller rather than larger. My perspective comes from typically watching videos on a 10" tablet.
Could be that the vid is of low quality because the available video is so old and if blown up to fill available space, it would look like shit. There could be a number of reasons, personally i like he background and the format. Use your head and stop being so negative.
I believe that there is a requirement that programs can't go dark unless they are within 5 years of completion. So, a 2018 going dark on this program might indicate that the SR72 is in production
I'm assuming it'll have internal bays....but what then...slow down to open and fire then floor it? I'm assuming if you open those doors at speed it'll disintegrate... am I missing something
need a vid on chinas “sixth gen” aircraft
Yes
Guaranteed it is no better than US 5th gen fighters and also guaranteed they don’t have the ability to produce more than 20
@@talljohn5350it’s has 3 engines 😅
It looks like a 5th gen fighter bomber
@@talljohn5350dude, china is no joke when it comes to manufacturing, just take a gander at how many j-20 they have, a bit more than 20. Idc how good or bad it is, china can produce as many as they see fit given time.
When JFK selected MacNamara from Ford, the line at Ford was "A great day for Ford but a bad day for the country!"
McNamara was such an ass. He’s the one who wouldn’t allow the taking out of SAM sites in Vietnam prior to then being operational because there may be Russian or Chinese personnel present during setup. He’s personally responsible for more airmen being shot down over Vietnam than anyone else.
Macnamera is one of the most loathsome people in American history.
To be fair, it's very easy to Monday-morning Quarterback McNamera - specially with the benefit of hindsight.
However, I doubt there are many people who could have done the herculean tasks he was given,
let alone walk away with record that looked much better.
@A_Haunted_Pancake In all honesty, I admit MacNamara's brilliance, but I don't feel it suited him for that position. My overall impressions of him were formed by David Halberstam"s "The Reckoning " which looks at Ford and Nissan from the end of WW 2 to the mid-Eightiies. MacNamara was part of the braintrust that helped Henry Ford II salvage the company from the mess Henry Ford had left it at his death.
I read that too........ McNamara must have been a family friend or friend of a friend.
I have to say, If i was in Skunk Works in the late 60's, Putting a nuke in it would have been one of my first thoughts after hearing of the max speed of the airframe.
First thoughts aside, just as with an Oxcart airframe, any payload would need to hold up and remain reliably functional at the elevated operating temperatures of around 600 Farenheit.
As these airframes and systems are thorougly thermally loaded and fly for many hours, every bolt, cable and electronic componant must be suitably rated. That would require the development and certification of a new nuclear device, no easy task.
@@trespireI've wondered about that... Would a torpedo like gas assisted rear release cut down on the heat and friction on the weapon? I know air flow will be an issue behind the craft, but aren't there shapes that can overcome that as well? Sorry just a stupid monkey asking questions...
Really, you would suggest that deliver a bomb slowly? ICBM's travel at Mach 23.
@@nik07nik different types of strikes, my friend... You don't need an ICBM if you only plan to drop one...
@@nik07nik Outside the atmosphere, and they would see it coming for a long time. Think of it as a hypersonic weapon, except it's only the plane moving that fast. Total game changer for the 1960's.
The A12 airframe just continues to impress with its longevity and flexibility.
Longevity? I'm guessing that was a joke because otherwise it was a fairly misinformed statement.
*_YOU’RE ALEX HOLLINGS!!!_*
And THIS is airpower!!!
I thought it was flower power with Hippie Hollings.
Except for the four minute Ground News advertisement in the beginning, you are certainly correct.
2m 20s, but still annoyingly long.
he's not Spartacus! I'm Spartacus!
Mach7 Bombers v CCA drones v hypersonic missiles ... Rapid Dragon still looks good as a potent door opener!
Love the production on this video. I came onboard because I liked "Discovery Channel Wings" and "Firepower", we want the history and eye candy, and we want a modern update.... Thanks for you hard work!
This channel comes about as close as you can. The only thing missing was the voice and music of "Wings", but Alex is great!
When I was a teenager (mid to late 1980s) I had the privilage to watch an SR71 being fuelled, take off, perform flybys and land again at an airshow at RAF Mildenhall. Breathtaking! 🙂
The very first model airplane I ever built was an SR-71. I am still fascinated with the jet today, much as I was in 1987, when I was 15, getting glue all ever everything!
Happy subscriber here! Excellent presentation (can't think of one that wasn't) with great historical and present day context. Thank you! May the new year exceed your hopes and wishes, best wishes to you and your loved ones.
Another great video Alex!! Thank you for the share and keep up the good work.
I think you meant to write "SR-71" in the title?
Did he though? Foreshadowing.
hehe nope
Or "The US Air Force may turn the SR-72 into a nuclear bomber".
Halfway through the video. Hopefully sr72 is brought up at some point😂 right now it seems he has a typo. Hope I’m wrong
Actually she started her life as the YF12 and was originally envisioned as a high speed interceptor running a falcon missile system.
If the air force bought the b71 bomber the b2 bomber probably would not be flying now, and who knows if the b21 would even be made. In this alternate universe the b71 would probably be the first aircraft into Baghdad in 91
Fair point
The SR-71 was legendary, but as it turns out, it may very well be having its legacy revived in the SR-72. Though I do wonder about the SR-72's manned/unmanned situation. To have a jet capable of that record-breaking speed and not being able to physically fly in it? That'd be such a bummer.
I don't much like this optionally-manned malarkey. If it needs manning, fine; if it doesn't, call it a UAV.
@@well-blazeredman6187 Having the choice means you can use the thing and not risk a human life on the highest risk missions where the aircraft isn't likely to survive. I wish my car was optionally-manned.
I think of Kelly Johnson as the John Browning of aircraft.
Wowzers! Great thinking on your part. Much appreciated and I agree 100%
Don’t insult either of them like that. Completely different disciplines.
@@mikewaterfield3599they were both definitive visionaries. Relax.
@@bowencreer3922 Too many years with planes and guns. I worship at those alters. My plane is a ‘38 and my pistol is a 1917 1911. I hear someone use the wrong name for the H4 my eye twitches.
i had the exact same thought and why isnt there a presidential medal for engineering named after him?
Thanks Alex..... As always.... great and informative video presentation 👍🏼
I met a super smart guy that was interested in my startup and the thermodynamic cycle I invented 20 years ago. In our introductions he mentioned his experience with turning the SR-71 into a nuclear bomber and shared how he was flying in a contraption underneath the SR to prove concept. He pulled out a bomber jacket patch they gave him for the mission from his wallet and was explaining the symbols on the patch. I believed him, he had lots of details and who would go thru the trouble of designing a patch that looked real to support their story.
Um yea, that never happened
Hey Alex, merry Christmas happy new year, and God bless you!
We think this episode, with all due respect, the very best of your recent productions.
Mr Hollings. When you say "I'm Alex Hollings... and this... is AirPower" goosebumps appear on my skin. Your voice, your tone, your speech, and the quality of the material you represent.... yeah goosebumps. Thank you, Sir!
Im the opposite. Cause its dramatic & cringey when he overemphasizes it most of the time 🤷♂️
Look forward to your videos. Thank you, Alex.
Great episode, Alex. Keep em comin’!
Cannot wait to hear your take on the Chinese 6th gen fighter
Yes, the New generation of space capable Chinese jet fighters.
@@gfan003 yes... i'll believe it when i see it lol e6000 glue probs isnt rated for that
poop from butt
There’s a reason mom would never let me buy the cheap Chinese manufactured toys in the drug store
Special needs jet
4:20 because you already know about Ground News.
Doing the lord's work 🙏🏼
Shout-out sponsorblock
Thanks, Alex. Appreciated. Learned things I hadn't previously known about Archangel and the SR-71! Really well done.
I can't remember the details but I was stationed at Davis Monthan AFB in the 80's and there was remains of an SR-71 that had shot itself down while testing to see if it could become a fighter. Fires a gun and ran i to its own bullets.
It was a bunch of boxes so it may have been BS but that was the story anyway.
I use to love driving around the bone yard looking at the old aircraft.
Lol that definitely never happened.
Love your channel Sir. I watch it all the time.
Not a fan of the loud music through this whole video.
The added music and volume of it was definitely distracting.
Maybe the music was removed between when you watched it and when I am, but I don’t hear any music, or if there is any it’s very very quiet.
It sounds like a load of sneakers in dryer - not music.
Car audio it’s not bad. Lot of wind noise as a drive and chain smoke cigs lmao 😎
Alex will understand difficulty with the background music when he turns 60 years old.
I love that Skunk Works never forgets its roots and the greatness of Kelly Johnson and other legendary engineers of the greatest time of development of air power! Thank you also Alex, for never forgetting these giants and their designs! Happy New Year 🎊🎆🍾🥂🎉❤️
Well done video!
Skunkworks is a fantastic book, highly recommend
I'm glad he's not screaming at the camera anymore.
This is your best work.
I don’t think I’ve noticed music before. Kind of distracting.
A competing story was that the flight computer failed on Gary Powers' U-2 causing him to drop to 40,000 feet in order to be able for a human to fly the lady. Also, it is said that testers of the A-12 were one day teasing the B-70 guys about the progress, and the B-70 guys responded with the quip that they lost parts on test flights bigger than the A-12.
Outfitting the SR-71 with nukes probably felt like an easy end-of-week project
compared to p.i.t.a it must have been to invent a supersonic, automatous drone,
mount it to the Blackbirds (M-21) back and launch it at supersonic speeds - All with 1960s technology.
Yet they pulled it off ... more or less. (Look up D-21 Drone)
Pretty awesome episode Alex ,there's absolutely no way the magnificent SR71 hasn't evolved since even it's last flight. True aerodynamics ists and scientists are the lifeblood of progress
Ayyyyeeee. Friday afternoon Sandboxx
Sandboxx is life
Amazing video!
Great video!
One hour and the title still says SR-72...
You should upload your videos to spotify! I'd love to listen to them while travelling.
There is no combination of words that would do justice to just how low Johnson and McNamara were.
I can only imagine what state our military would be in today if not for McNamara. It seemed like he killed so many great programs out of pride and hubris.
Alex, do you think after China unveiled its 6th gen fighter it will push the US Military and Government to grudgingly foot the huge bill for our own? Or do you think they will continue to reconsider the program and design as they have been for several months?
I think the generations dont really matter at this point. I think the F35 (even with its setbacks).. will still be more advanced & more effective vs. any Temu-special "6th gen" fighter from China.
And the F35 is only getting better with time.. as its issues are sorted out.
But developing an advanced F22 successor would make sense though. Just for the air force only. Trying to make multi-role, do-it-all stealth fighters just over-complicates it
When did China unveil a 6th Gen aircraft? I've seen a couple of pretend 6th Gen, being escorted by their 4+, that they claim is 5th Gen. Are those the turds you speak of? Here's a helpful hint: if China or Russia makes a claim, cut it in half, then add one, and you will have the actual generation of the weapon platform they have built. They built an F-117 knockoff and a flying Dorito. I guarantee, they both have an enormous radar cross section, and a tech level older than me.
XB - 70 Valkyrie ???
Excellent presentation
2 things, 1: it is supposed to say sr 71 in the title and not sr72 since that will confuse a lot of people
2: besides the kind of goofy drums in the background it is a really really nice video as always
This episode of AirPower feels like Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. Both were outstanding, and had me thoroughly engrossed. Then - they just ended. No resolution. No happy ending. No... nothing. I hope there's a sequel coming that tells us what winds up happening, because this just made me hungry for more!
Here's to hoping that master Jedi Johnson comes back as a force-ghost to defeat the specter of the evil Darth McNamara!
McNamara did only a few things right, the concept of a replacement for the A4 Skyhawk which culminated in Vought giving us the A7 Corsair II is one of them. And Tom Connelly doesn’t get enough credit for standing up to him so the Navy could get the F14 Tomcat. The Grumman swept wing fighter deterred Soviet bombers like the Tu 22. Lockheed Martin’s designs were/are always something different like the F104 and the Joint Strike Fighter.
How many people know the A-12 was first? And the SR-71 already could carry a 1 ton payload centerline?
You should think about finding a new platform, the commercials are longer than your content anymore
Maybe this channel would fit well on the pepperbox tv platform?
You could just skip it
Alex, Can you give a presentation on the newly unveiled Chinese "NGAD" J-36 flight in the last 2 days?
It looked like a fighter bomber.
I would welcome episodes devoted entirely to significant aerospace people, including infamous individuals like McNamara. I don't mean covering EVERYTHING about these individuals, just details on how they influenced aerospace--especially positively, but also negatively. I think this would help provide the glue that ties everything together.
Alex, are you going to discuss Chinas jump ahead of the US in tailless aircraft/6th gen?
Lol
Talk about the new Chinese 6th generation fighter jets tested yesterday.
They did its called the
A12 oxcart/YF12 Interceptor, slightly smaller than the SR71, but the same design.
The A12 was never armed, but the YF12 was.
Alex please do a story of the ballistic missile staunched from the back of a c17 in the recent ballistic missile intercept test
I was kind of expecting an emergency air power episode covering the 6th gen prototypes China "leaked" the other day
Yes!
Thank you Kelly Johnson... America really misses you!
As always very informative. Now lets hear your take on the new 6th gen Chinese fighter,
Very Interesting and Intriguing
The B-70 is vulnerable to Soviet missiles!
B-71 "and I took that personally."
I’m a little surprised you haven’t done a video yet on PRC flying at least one (possibly two) competitors for their sixth generation fighter program. Rumor is they may have leapfrogged the US on this; seems like pretty big news and would be interested to hear your take.
Mr. Alex Hollings,
I will age myself with this one. In Chapter 3 of my Second Grade Math Book it started with a picture of the SR-71.
I am old....
29 SR-71s produced, 12 lost in accidents, that leaves 17 remaining airframes. Fifteen of those are in museums, 3 owned by Lockheed and 3 by NASA, I don't think it would be a worthwhile refurbishment program... The money would be better spent upgrading our ICBMs.
Alex, how do you keep making your videos better than the last? I'm out of superlatives...🤷🏻♀️
Excellent video.
Interesting video! However, while the SR-71 had many advantages over the XB-70 that were pointed out, the XB-70 demonstrated Mach 3 capability and would have operated at this speed. It simply didn't receive the money necessary to continue the development. It's chief advantage over a B-71 bomber proposal was that it was designed and engineered as a bomber. Principally its size was vastly greater and would allow for a weapons array as opposed to trying to add on singular weapons after the fact. The comparison is like comparing an F/A-18 to a B-52.
Kind of always thought they quietly equipped the black bird with weapons as a just in case without ever saying it.
that airplane did quite a bit more than mach 3, just don't know how much
Not really no. Unless you consider mach 3.3 to be quite a bit more.
@ I'm talking about pilots and whatnot vaguely suggesting in interviews that it did much more than its public speed
@seagie382 but they really don't, not in a serious way, joking though for sure. On occasions it could do better, but only under VERY specific atmospheric conditions and not fully within the pilots control.
We already had a potential mach 3 bomber in XB70 Valkyrie.
Which is mentioned in the video, as well as why this was considered a better idea.
Love how the US and Australia change between Aircraft and missiles as if missiles are the winner in upcoming Wars. Missiles are expensive, very limited and you need the right platforms and logistics to get them loaded up.
Thanks. !!
It a bird, its a plane, its able to lob ICBMs by opening its cargo bay!
not exactly surprising seeing that the Smallest nuclear weapon at the time is the W54 Nuclear weapon light enough to be man carried also the warhead of AGM-64 Walleye Guided missile.
I’m not Alex, your Alex Hollings and this is What If? Air power!!!
So, the new SR-72 will have a B-72 variant? Tell me more Alex. 🤓 imagine the SR-71’s being used as one way drones? Hell of a way to say goodbye to the fleet. Supersonic nuclear drones. 😎
I have always wondered about this! I bet they did it to some and kept it highly classified.
Has China Actually launched a new Stealth Fighter based on the same Design as NGAD ???
Yea, they have like 2 of those 6 gens released.
Mach 3 for 30 minutes seems pretty stable to me.
Refreshing news to hear, in these uncertain times. SR-71 shouldn't have been decommissioned
I think the roll could have been a rapid response fighter that could take out Russian Bombers or fighters at range with a small nuclear air to air missile. Then Other interceptors could have engaged as a secondary wave. The A-12 could have also be used to engage ballistic missiles with the right munitions to know them out. Of course we had missiles that did that but I imagine getting closer would be more accurate.
I imagine if we took politics and egos out of the equation we could have had some really awesome military vehicles and weapon systems.
Yeah, Johnson was definitely right. "Petty" is the right word.
Was the Phoenix missile too much bigger than the Falcon that it wouldn’t have fit in the YF-12’s weapons bays?
A super high-tech aircraft report and a detailed history lesson all rolled into one! Well, no surprise : it’s Alex Hollings, doing what he does better than anyone! 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍
Is that thermal testing at 8:47? That looks like a giant, spy plane shaped Electric heater 😅
Please do a video on underground nuclear testing
You have to love the fact Reagan miss named the classification.
I really don't get why you put half the video inside a tiny rectangle. If you want the name to be seen, just throw on a watermark in a corner and leave the video full screen.
My guess is the low quality of the framed old videos made it more appealing to make them smaller rather than larger. My perspective comes from typically watching videos on a 10" tablet.
Could be that the vid is of low quality because the available video is so old and if blown up to fill available space, it would look like shit. There could be a number of reasons, personally i like he background and the format. Use your head and stop being so negative.
@@shokwavxb Ya, this is most likely it. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better when it comes to low-resolution footage.
Gotta do a video on Chinese 6th gen fighter when your ready
I'm sure it was always a day away from being able to carry one if needed.
If we're hearing about it, it's been flying for at least 10 years already.
Not really how it works
The video title says sr 72, did you mean sr 71 ?
Now u know damn well we want that 6th gen china video Alex
I believe that there is a requirement that programs can't go dark unless they are within 5 years of completion. So, a 2018 going dark on this program might indicate that the SR72 is in production
well, lets just look at the track record of Johnson and Mcnamara and take it from there who is likely right......oh, nevermind, Mckna who?
Hey Alex - the caption says SR-72 not SR-71 ; )
I'm assuming it'll have internal bays....but what then...slow down to open and fire then floor it? I'm assuming if you open those doors at speed it'll disintegrate... am I missing something
Possibly a smaller hatch at the rear that opens and "poops" the missile out into its slipstream?
The aircraft had no issues opening the doors at speed and altitude launching missiles. The YF12 did it several times