At the start of “Top Gun: Maverick,” U.S. Navy pilot Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) serves as a test pilot for an ultra-secret program called “Darkstar.” This experimental craft is powered by a scramjet engine capable of achieving speeds up to Mach 10 (approximately 7,672.7 miles per hour). During one such trial, Maverick exceeds expectations by pushing the vehicle past its operational limits—reaching Mach 10—and consequently destroys the prototype upon landing. He manages to escape safely via ejection but realizes too late that his actions could have been fatal under normal circumstances. Afterward, he returns to the Top Gun academy at NAS North Island with urgency due to impending perilous operations ahead.
The Darkstar airplane has a brief appearance in the movie before meeting an unfortunate fate, yet this does not diminish its allure. Audiences probably left the cinema questioning whether such an aircraft was real, considering it has a notable precursor.
the famed SR-71 Blackbird
It follows logically that the subsequent plane in this sequence should bear the designation SR-72, and coincidentally, such an airplane is currently under development.
Sadly, this differs from what’s portrayed in the movie, and very little is actually verified or widely known regarding the project as we approached early 2025. Nonetheless, since bits of info have trickled out and gossip has circulated over the years—considering its lengthy development—it hasn’t remained completely isolated. Throughout this period, numerous details have surfaced.
intriguing stories surrounding the SR-72 Darkstar aircraft
, and they could astonish you since they differ significantly from the film’s rendition. This is what has been gleaned—or more accurately speculated—about the Blackbird’s replacement.
Read more:
All the Information Available on the US$223 Million Apocalyptic Aircraft
The SR-72 Darkstar
The SR-72 is an envisioned airplane with potential origins dating back to the early 2000s. By 2017, Lockheed Martin indicated that it might become airborne as soon as 2025, which suggests it could be nearing a service entry around the 2030s perhaps.
The SR-72 aircraft is currently under development by Lockheed’s Advanced Development Programs (ADP), commonly referred to as Skunk Works.
, similar to its predecessor. The intended speed isn’t Mach 10; instead, it’s Mach 6 (4,603.6 mph), which remains extremely rapid. It is crafted to serve as both a striking and surveillance aircraft.
Unlike the SR-71, which served exclusively for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), the SR-72 may potentially carry hypersonic missiles due to its high-speed capability. These weapons are currently under development by U.S. defense companies. The SR-72 doesn’t have an official moniker; however, some people refer to it as “Son of the Blackbird” despite this not being recognized officially. Additionally, similar to how it’s portrayed in movies, the SR-72 probably won’t require a human crew but rather function autonomously as a swift, covert unmanned vehicle.
Certainly, many details remain speculative; however, if the SR-72 eliminates the necessity for onboard personnel, it might facilitate achieving its targeted velocity. Constructing an aircraft capable of traveling at Mach 5.0 with passengers aboard presents significantly greater challenges compared to operating one without concern for pilot survival, as unmanned systems advance toward becoming standard in military aerial operations. In any case, once the SR-72 becomes operational within the fleet, do not anticipate extensive leaks past current speculations because the program remains shrouded in deep secrecy.
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