NASA’s reported SR-71A revival faces steep restoration hurdles
Former programme staff say NASA has approached them about returning aircraft No. 844 to flight, but the agency has not confirmed a project.
NASA has reportedly moved an SR-71A Blackbird from display into a hangar and approached former programme staff about helping restore it to flight. The aircraft, Tail No. 844, last flew in 1999. NASA has not confirmed a return-to-flight project or explained why the aircraft was moved.
Aviation Week reports that the aircraft was taken from its display position at the Armstrong Flight Research Center early this year. Former NASA test engineers Mike Relja and Tim Conners said the agency contacted them and others over the summer about assisting with the effort.
The former staff describe major obstacles. Relja raised concerns about possible water and sand in the airframe, engines that have sat idle for decades, and the absence of specialist ground equipment. The Blackbird fleet’s spare-parts stocks were destroyed in 2007, and a supply chain, fuel and trained personnel would also need to be addressed.
Conners said parts from museum aircraft could offer one possible source of components, while existing operating manuals could help with training. Both former engineers raised questions about feasibility; they said restoration may be possible with substantial resources.
A NASA spokesperson told Aviation Week the agency had no additional information to share about the aircraft. An SR-71-like outline shown by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at a September summit prompted speculation, but it does not establish a connection to No. 844.
