JP-7: A Look at the Special Fuel of the SR-71

[Talyn]

Flying at altitudes and speeds unheard of for contemporary jet aircraft, the Blackbird family required a fuel with unique properties to perform in the extremes the aircraft would be subject to.​

The Mach 3+ speeds of the Lockheed A-12, M-21, YF-12A, and SR-71 would heat fuel up to 350 degrees, and, lacking insulated fuel tanks, the aircraft required a fuel with a high-flash point that would not vaporize or explode under tremendous heat and pressure. Available jet fuels at the time would not work in this environment, someone would have to create such a fuel, and, in addition to fueling the aircraft, the new fuel also was used as an internal coolant, cooling important components of the aircraft.

JP-7: A Look at the Special Fuel of the SR-71

Flying at altitudes and speeds unheard of for contemporary jet aircraft, the Blackbird family required a fuel with unique properties to perform in the

theaviationist.com

A Flying Fuel Tank​

With a total of six fuel tanks, the thirsty Lockheed SR-71 had a fuel capacity of over 80,000 pounds of fuel. The tanks occupied areas within the fuselage and wings holding 12,219 gallons total. Each of the SR-71’s two cockpits had large fuel-quantity gauges.

In addition to feeding the twin Pratt & Whitney JP-58 engines, the fuel was used to cool the aircraft as well as components of the aircraft.

 

[Jester560]

Such a gorgeous aircraft and way ahead of its time.

 

[mikep]

The number of technology advances needed to get that plane flying is wild. Could we do that today? I doubt it.

 

[Thos Fett]

Legendary plane. So much about even it’s development is wild.

 

[Pitdogg2]

The number of technology advances needed to get that plane flying is wild. Could we do that today? I doubt it.

I agree, today it would take 50yrs and cost 300x more than projected. Heck we're having a very hard time with ships and subs. Heck the shut down and dismantling of the F-22 program for the F-35 which seems to fly slower than the F-15, F-16 planes never made sense to me. The F-16 fly's circles around the F-35. While our enemies seem to be going full speed ahead, we seem to be riding a stationary bike.