How long before we could see the fastest plane ever, SR-72 ‘Son of Blackbird’ in active service

The last time we saw an actual SR-72 supersonic plane was in the recent Top Gun: Maverick movie.

Is the supersonic plane a real thing or a fictional aircraft that we will just dream about?

And when will the successor to the world’s fastest plane ‘Son of Blackbird’ enter active service?

The SR-72 has been in development by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works since 2013.

The supersonic plane is expected to go around Mach 6 speed.

However, at Mach 5 aerodynamic heating creates temperatures hot enough to melt any metallic aircraft.

So engineers will have to work with composites such as high-performance carbon, ceramic, and metal mixes.

It is hard to guess when the aircraft will enter service if it does at all.

The development of a demonstrator was planned as soon as 2018 with the first flight scheduled for 2023.

Since the Skunk Works team is known for their secrecy, there’s still no word on whether the flight happened or not.

Even the fake SR-72 Darkstar used in Top Gun: Maverick looked so real that China used a satellite to spy on it.

While the SR-71 Blackbird was used to take pictures, its successor would also be capable of strike missions.

Since its initial reveal in 2013, Lockheed Martin has also added an unmanned option to the SR-72.

According to the manufacturer. they have plans to test-fly the aircraft in 2025, with entry into service in 2030.

Being the successor to the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, the aircraft will have to fill some big shoes.

However, the development of an advanced aircraft can face significant delays, if not outright cancellations.

So let’s hope that we can one day see the SR-72 ‘Son of Blackbird’ in its full glory.