In the cool, tense morning air of April 15, 1986, an SR-71 Blackbird, piloted by Major Brian Shul with Major Walter Watson as the Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO), penetrated Libyan airspace at staggering speeds to document the aftermath of Operation "El Dorado Canyon." This was the United States direct military response to Muammar Qaddafi's rampant…
The SR-71 achieved a record top speed of 2,193 mph – while other aircraft could reach such extreme speeds in theory – but would melt due to the atmospheric friction and heat – the Blackbird could maintain it for extended periods.