Both the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and D-21 reconnaissance drone took their first flight on this day, Dec. 22, 1964 - a big day for Skunk Works fans with tests at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California and Groom Lake, Nevada respectively. The SR-71 at Pima is the second one built and oldest in existence. D-21 drones originally flew off a mothership version of the Blackbird family designated M-21, but the program was cancelled in 1971. In 1976, the SR-71 would set the absolute speed (Mach 3 )

5.4M views · 44K reactions | Built in secrecy by Lockheed’s Skunk Works, the SR-71 Blackbird was the fastest aircraft ever flown. At 85,000 feet, it could outrun missiles, literally flying faster than explosions behind it. When it was retired in 1990, it didn’t slow down. On its final flight to the museum, it broke four world speed records, including Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. in just over an hour. #TheWarRoom #SR71Blackbird #ColdWarTech #fblifestyle | The War Room | Facebook