The SR71 Was Kinda Slow

They wouldn't have retired the SR-71 if they didn't have a replacement. Something more efficient has been in use since 1998, but the business of spying is supposed to be under wraps. I'd love to know what they have been using / what the SR-72 would be replacing. I loved the SR-71, cool post for the 72.

Roger ramjet would be overjoyed

Many have thought that a replacement has been in action since 1998 ("Aurora"?), so how come they are releasing information about the next generation, which you would think would be top-secret, before acknowledging the existence of the most recent? Makes no sense.

Spy plane?

Never fear, Walt Disney had it covered.

Airplanes that are unmanned should be operated within eye sight or kept out of the sky. This is a matter of ethics, good manners and safety. But who am I?

you better get used to unmanned, its just how its going

I understand. But prepare a lot of garbage cans, because the hunt on those birds will be opened soon.

That's old school.

US military's top secret X-37B shuttle 'disappears' for two weeks ...

I guess you can talk of the SR-72 ... if the SR73 is already underway and the skunk works wants funding for SR74 advancement. As for the blanket spy network above us, planes like the SR-7X might give the chance to look sideways depending on how low you want to go.

And coming verrrryyyy slowwwwly!

Operational date of 2030!

".....no new technologies needed to be invented for the SR-72 so...... the plane could be operational by 2030."

It can take time (err ...decades) to spend R&D dollars if the PR spin is fine!
It all depends if you are being taxed to pay the bill or billing the taxed to get paid.

I think the SR-72 is all about PR! There is no budget. The aircraft was displayed in the same detail in Popular Science Magazine in the '70's (with some other letter/number moniker). Likely there is no mission profile that can't be covered by spy satellites - but who is to know? It is all 'secret' anyhow.

One thing is for sure. If Kelly Johnson was doing this project he would not try to spin it out for 17 more years!