#x 15a

North American X-15

3 November 1965. X-15-A2 taxiing for take-off for flight 2-43-75.

6 October 1966. X-15 No. 1 with Major Mike Adams in the cockpit, ready for taxi on his first flight.

Who will win in a flight race, the SR-71 Blackbird or North American X-15?

For years now when I write an article about the SR 71 somebody will throw the X-15 up and say wait a minute this rocket was faster. It’s interesting to know that at Edwards Air Force Base in 1967 both the X-15 and the SR 71 were on the same flight line. What is your opinion was the X 15 which only flew for 90 seconds because it ran out of fuel a faster airplane than the SR 71? Is the X-15 an airplane or a rocket? And let’s not forget the X-15 had to be taken up to altitude by a B-52 it couldn’t fly up there so you can see which side I’m on. the SR 71

But the X-15 was an interesting experiment.

What are the rules of the race? How far and what restrictions are in place?

The X-15 was able to attain roughly twice the speed of what the SR-71 is said to be capable of (4,500 mph vs 2,400 mph).

However, the SR-71 could fly at least 2,500 miles before needing to refuel (done with a KC-135 over friendly airspace). The X-15 on the other hand utilized a rocket engine that could not be refueled in flight and allowed it to reach a max range of 280 miles.

So if you’re looking at who can go fastest the SR-71 loses to the X-15.

If you’re looking at who can fly the furthest the SR-71 wins.

If you’re looking at who can fly the fastest for the longest time the SR-71 wins.

If you’re looking at an average speed of over an hour or more, the SR-71 would win on a technicality.

And if the race involves high-speed turns to hit waypoints over a course I think the SR-71 would have decent odds of winning as the X-15 wasn’t designed for high-speed turns, just reaching high speeds

Kris Schies and Linda Sheffield

Quora

@Habubrats71 via X