The Lockheed A-12 Oxcart is documented to have a slightly faster speed than the SR-71 Blackbird.
A-12 Oxcart vs. SR-71 Blackbird
While the SR-71 Blackbird is renowned for its incredible speed and holds the official speed record for a piloted aircraft, its predecessor, the Lockheed A-12 Oxcart, achieved a marginally higher documented speed. Both aircraft were designed for high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance missions, but the A-12 represents the initial design and testing phase that led to the development of the more well-known SR-71. The fact that the A-12 was faster is confirmed by Lockheed and the CIA, according to the provided reference.
| Feature | Lockheed A-12 Oxcart | SR-71 Blackbird |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Reconnaissance | Reconnaissance |
| Speed | Slightly Faster | Officially Fastest |
| Relationship | Predecessor | Spinoff |
| Source Confirmed | Lockheed and CIA | N/A |
In conclusion, while the SR-71 Blackbird is famous for its speed, the A-12 Oxcart, from which the Blackbird was developed, is documented to have been slightly faster.
