this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2025
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History Memes

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submitted 3 months ago by Stamets@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/historymemes@piefed.social
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[–] Jesus_666@lemmy.world 61 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The SR-71 wasn't all that stealthy. Its main defense was that it moved too high for flak and too fast for SAMs. It was retired when interception capabilities improved to match it.

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 25 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

It was at least partially retired because some Asshat General decided that since the USAF has multi role attack airframes, that we didn't need recon aircraft anymore. As far as I can tell the only viable threat to the planes were SAAB Viggens.

I'm not salty. You're salty.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 15 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Eh the use of recon aircraft has been fairly outdated with satellites and remote aircraft

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 months ago (2 children)

the problem with sattelites is that they have to be on a predictable course. any opponent able to reach space can destroy them. the communication to remotely piloted aircraft can also be jammed as part of an attack. it's why they could use an astro-inertial navigation system on the SR-71 that could not be jammed and would allow the pilot to sway from the planned course, but also go back on course. i can't believe they retired it. it closed a gap.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yeah the NRO satellites really make me doubt that. $2-$6b satellites capable imaging the sunlit side of the planet every 90 minutes would be a stupid expense if any country could just shoot them down.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 months ago

to shoot one down is expensive and creates space debris, but

a few countries (China, India, Russia, and the United States) have successfully shot down their own satellites to demonstrate their ASAT capabilities in a show of force

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon

[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

Didn't NASA have a couple of them for a while?