Lockheed YF-12A Blackbird Mach 3 Interceptor Prototype
The Lockheed YF-12A was a three-aircraft Mach 3 interceptor prototype developed from the A-12 to defend against supersonic bombers. Its two-person crew, AIM-47 missiles, high-altitude speed records, and 1968 program cancellation define a distinct air-defense and research boundary; the surviving aircraft later supported USAF/NASA supersonic-cruise investigations.
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Identity
- Aliases
- YF-12AYF-12AF-12YF-12A BlackbirdInterceptor Blackbird
- Family Name
- Lockheed YF-12A
- Full Name
- Lockheed YF-12A Blackbird Mach 3 Interceptor Prototype
- Roles
- militaryexperimentalresearch
- Status
- canceled
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Crew Capacity
- 2
- Max Speed
- …
- Max Takeoff Mass
- …
- Operating Modes
- land
- Range
- …
- Service Ceiling
- …
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Lockheed YF-12A was a three-aircraft Mach 3 interceptor prototype developed from the A-12 to defend against supersonic bombers. Its two-person crew, AIM-47 missiles, high-altitude speed records, and 1968 program cancellation define a distinct air-defense and research boundary; the surviving aircraft later supported USAF/NASA supersonic-cruise investigations.
- First Flight Year
- 1,963
- Manufacturer
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 2
- Placement
- fuselage
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Stage
- airframe
- Variant Notes
- Two Pratt & Whitney J58/JT11D-20 turbojets; YF-12A interceptor prototype.
- Name
- YF-12A J58 installation
- Notes
- The USAF museum identifies two Pratt & Whitney J58 afterburning turbojets on the YF-12A.
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Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 15, 2026 at 11:09:58 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 22, 2026 at 03:24:34 UTC
- Image
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