From The Archives: U.S. Air Force/Lockheed SR-71 Flies Over Sierra Nevada Mountains

On the cover of Aviation Week’s Jan. 20, 1990, issue, a U.S. Air Force/Lockheed SR-71 flies over Lake Almanor in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

The Air Force had announced the phasing out of the program the year prior, with three aircraft slated to go to NASA for flyable storage. 

The termination of operations caught most observers off guard, although several aircraft were briefly reactivated before their second retirement in 1998. 

The SR-71 first flew in 1964 and remained an unmatched, flexible reconnaissance tool throughout its operational life. Lockheed photo by Eric M. Schulzinger.

Read more in the issue dated January 22 1990 | Aviation Week

Enjoy unlimited access to the complete Aviation Week Archive which has over 100 Years of Aviation Week — at your fingertips.

Every issue, every page, every article we have ever published. Your subscription includes full access to the archives, plus current Aviation Week & Space Technology articles (both digital and print packages available).