I love articles about military tech, especially aerospace stuff...
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/05/tech/innovation/new-spy-plane/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/05/tech/innovation/new-spy-plane/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
And, by the way, the SR-72 is envisioned as a drone, unlike the original Blackbird with its crew of two: a pilot and a reconnaissance officer to operate its radar jammers and spy gear.
Well, the SR-71 was a spy plane, perhaps the best ever. And the SR-72 looks like it is being designed to do everything the Blackbird could, faster...plus deliver a weapon strike.
Dannyalcatraz said:And no, I wasn't saying a drone SR-72 would be cheap, just cheaper than a similarly capable manned vehicle. No life support systems, smaller size = less material required...just all-around no design compromises required to tote around 2 bags of mostly water at hypersonic speeds.