11/15/2022. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The YF-12A was an interceptor derivative of the A-12, the world's first Mach 3·0 cruise-capable aircraft which had first flown on April 26, 1962. Three of a total of eighteen A-12 strategic reconnaissance aircraft - predecessors of the larger and heavier SR-71 - were completed as dedicated single-seat interceptor fighters (the 11th, 12th and 13th airframes, serialed 60-6934 to 60-6936, c/n 1001 to 1003) under the designation YF-12A, the first of these flying on August 7, 1963.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT11D-20B (J58) turbo-ramjets each having a reheat thrust rating of 32,500 lb (14 742 kg), of unique blended-body design and largely constructed of titanium alloy, the YF-12A had a Hughes AN/ ASG-18 pulse doppler fire control system and provision for four Hughes AIM-47A (GAR-9) air-to-air missiles in each of two bays in the fuselage chines.

The YF-12A established a series of absolute world speed and altitude records in May 1965, but was not the recipient of production contracts and was relegated to the role of research aircraft in a program commencing in December 1969 and continuing into 1979."

Span: 55 ft 7 in (16,94 m)
Length: 101 ft 8 in (30,99 m)
Height: 18 ft 3 in (5,56 m)
Wing area: 1,795 sq.ft (166,75 sq.m)
Loaded weight: 140,000 lb (63,504 kg)
Max speed: 2,484 mph (3,997 kmh) at 80,000 ft (24,385 m)
Range at Mach 3.0: 2,500 mls (4 023 km)