The primary reason officials cited for retiring the aircraft was the cost it took to run them. Secretary Edward Aldridge estimated that the annual $200–$300 million spent on the fleet of supersonic aircraft could instead operate two tactical fighter wings, with the Blackbird's special JP-7 fuel alone costing around $18,000 per hour. At the same time, officials pointed out that reconnaissance satellites and new unmanned systems could do the work the Blackbird had been responsible for.
Author: Charles Earley
Published at: 2025-09-07 22:23:49
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