It is hard to comprehend the design of this aircraft and its capabilities without the technologies of today. This aircraft would fly faster and higher than any aircraft, and the faster it flew, the less fuel it burned. It also outran surface to air missiles (SAM) which the Soviets launched at them. Can you imagine a roll of film that is 10,500 feet long and five inches wide - that is almost two miles of film. I like it when three SR-71 flew over Hanoi and created a sonic boom that scared the hell out of the guards who were guarding American Prisoners of War.