Aviation Merch By Aviation Store on Instagram: "When speed became survival the SR-71 turned Mach into a shield and made the sky itself a no-go zone for anyone trying to follow. (Credits @masaviation1 on TikTok) Lockheed's Blackbird was built for sustained Mach 3 plus cruise at extreme altitude so reconnaissance sorties could collect imagery and signals while outrunning interceptors and SAM response times. Its role was intelligence collection not combat, and its presence shortened decision cycles