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Technology & Innovation

The SR-71 Blackbird's Fuel Was So Special That the Air Force Built a New Tanker for It

Harrison Kass
23 January 2025
5 min
PME All levels

BLUF

Due to operating at Mach 3, missiles could be outrun but, air-to -air refuelling required every 90 minutes. The KC-135Q tanker developed specifically for heat resistant fuel is an example of US Cold War innovation.
READ: The SR-71 Blackbird's Fuel Was So Special That the Air Force Built a New Tanker for It

References

  • National Interest: High factual reporting
  • COLLECTIONS/The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
  • RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE GUIDELINES LEARNING OUTCOMES ETC)
 

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