Famed spy plane disappears from California air base as mystery grows

A legendary spy plane has vanished from a California military base — it comes as NASA teases a mysterious new aircraft sparking speculation the two could be related.The SR-71 Blackbird, tail No.

844, had been displayed for years at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, which is collocated with Edwards Air Force Base.Satellite imagery indicates it has not been seen since at least May 17, according to Aviation Week defense editor Steve Trimble, who first reported the disappearance.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story The timing is hard to ignore.NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman unveiled a silhouette resembling an SR-71 during last week’s All-In Summit in Los Angeles while promising that the agency is rebuilding its fleet of experimental X-planes and pushing back into extreme-speed and high-altitude flight research.“In the service of the first A [aeronautics] in NASA, we are rebuilding our X-plane fleet.

The X-59 is researching quiet supersonic flight, but it’s just the beginning,” Isaacman told TWZ.“It will not be long before NASA once again is flying as high and as fast as we had in decades past, and then even more.”When the Blackbird-like image came up during a live interview immediately afterward, Isaacman added fuel to the mystery by asking, “You sure that’s a Blackbird?” He offered no further clarification.The missing jet is no ordinary exhibit.

Originally designated US Air Force serial No.61-7980, it was the last SR-71 produced and the last one to fly, making its final flight in 1999.Its current whereabouts are unclear, although Aviation Week sources said the aircraft was moved into a hangar earlier this year for an inspection.The report said the combination of the jet’s disappearance and Isaacman’s presentation raises the poss...