SR-75 "Penetrator"

From TinWiki.org

The SR-75 "Penetrator" is the unofficial name given to the rumored replacement of the SR-71 Blackbird and possibly the XB-70 Valkyrie and the Aurora. The craft was brought to attention when the SR-71 was considered retired in the aircraft's prime and was the fastest craft known to be in the United States Air Force (USAF). The official information was that spy satellites, which would make less sense, as the satellites are more costly than a SR-71 to maintain and launch, replaced it. Satellites also, at the time, had worse resolution than a SR-71 in imaging. A final problem was that cloud cover could prevent an image using a satellite, but an aircraft could get imaging under the clouds.

This led some to believe the SR-75 came into use by the USAF around this time. Though SR-75 Penetrator is the most widely accepted name, the only proof towards the name is a model by that name made by the Testors Company, who have had much luck in the past with design and name predictions. However, it could be one of many more, including SR-72, SR-79, SR-91 or SR-95.

Predecessors

There's been some confusion in the predicted look of the craft if it's a replacement for the SR-71 or the XB-70, as the craft is remarkably similar to the XB-70 in design, leading some to think it may have replaced the XB-70 as well. Many believe that The Super Valkyrie and the SR-75 are one and the same.

Another popular theory is that the SR-75 worked in combination with the Aurora, or could infact be the Aurora or has replaced the Aurora. Testors states Aurora is the XR-7, and was used as a sort of drone to be launched from the SR-75. If the SR-75 were the Super Valkyrie, which has been reported to launch or drop craft, then this would make sense.

Design Features

The craft is reportedly to be SR-71 sized, with black or silver painting. The nose to the main body is much like the SR-71, with two smaller wings for aerodynamics near the cockpit. The wings slant out from mid-body and end at the body's end. The wings are known to have a rudder on each for help in speed and stability at high speeds. The engine is most likely a PDWE or Pulsejets. It may double as a spy plane and bomber. It may also be used for a shuttlecraft or trans-atmospheric vehicle.

Speed is usually thought to be between Mach 3 and 10, though most likely closer to the 5-7 range.

So far, no word on the SR-75 has been released officially.

See Also

• Aurora
• The Super Valkyrie
• SR-71