Lockheed Martin SR-72 Lockheed Martin SR-72 The Lockheed Martin SR-72 is an American hypersonic UAV concept intended for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Lockheed Martin privately proposed it to succeed the retired Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-71 Blackbird retired in 1998, leaving what was considered a coverage gap between surveillance satellites, manned aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions. With the growth of anti-satellite weapons, anti-access/area denial tactics, and counter-stealth technologies, a high-speed aircraft could penetrate protected airspace and observe or strike a target before enemies could detect or intercept it. The proposed reliance on extremely high
Lockheed Martin Stalker day. Several potential foreign sales are under negotiation, with customers and numbers of systems being undisclosed. Lockheed also revealed that they plan to continue testing the laser-charged Stalker. The current laser apparatus, built by LaserMotive, is about the size of a horse trailer, and they are working to reduce its size to something that can be used for tactical operations. Ideal size is about the same as "two travel suitcases put together." Lockheed Martin Stalker The Stalker is a hand-launched, electrically powered unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works for an unspecified customer, presumably United States Special Operations