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 X-44 (UAV) Lockheed Martin X-44 (UAV) The Lockheed Martin X-44 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology demonstrator built by the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. After the 1999 cancellation of the RQ-3 Darkstar, Lockheed Martin decided to build a technology demonstrator for a potential family of flying wing UAVs that could be used for combat and non-combat roles. The resulting X-44 (designation previously allocated to the X-44 MANTA) was built in 1999 and first flew in 2001, representing an interim design between the Darkstar and P-175. However, Lockheed Martin kept the X-44 under wraps until February 2018. The X-44 is reportedly made