The SR-71 had its beginnings with 1954 CIA requirements for a successor to the U-2 spy plane. They wanted an aircraft that could travel over the Soviet Union at mach 3.2 at over 80,000 feet. The first version of the SR-71 (A-12) took to the air in 1962, and entered service in 1964. This title covers the history and development of the USAF's primary strategic reconnaissance aircraft of the Cold War era. Illustrated with 120 black and white and 111 color photos, 11 color drawings, 11 black and white drawings. 80 pages.