What is the static thrust of the SR-71 Blackbird? - question from Will Reisner
The SR-71 Blackbird has two engines each rated at 32,500 lb (144.5 kN)
static thrust. However, these thrust values are ideal since they are determined for the engine alone when placed
on a test stand. Any engine will produce less thrust than the static value in actual use because of the non-ideal
phenomena that exist in the real world. Some of the most significant sources of performance losses include
installation losses and interference generated by the vehicle itself, fuel consumption rate, operating
altitude, ambient atmospheric conditions (pressure, temperature, density), quality of the incoming airflow,
and vehicle velocity. For any given set of conditions, the actual thrust the engine can produce may only be a
small fraction of its rated static value.
- answer by Joe Yoon, 27 January 2002
