North American X-15 vs SR-71 Blackbird
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The North American X-15 is faster: 7,274 km/h against 3,540 km/h for the SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-71 Blackbird flies further: 5,400 km against 450 km for the North American X-15. The SR-71 Blackbird has the wider wingspan: 16.9 m against 6.8 m for the North American X-15. The SR-71 Blackbird is heavier at takeoff: 78 tonnes against 15 tonnes for the North American X-15. The North American X-15 first flew in 1959, 5 years before the SR-71 Blackbird (1964).
| North American X-15 | SR-71 Blackbird |
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| Top speed | 7,274 km/h (4,520 mph) | 3,540 km/h (2,200 mph) |
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| Range | 450 km (280 miles) | 5,400 km (3,355 miles) |
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| Length | 15.5 m (51 ft) | 32.7 m (107 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 6.8 m (22 ft) | 16.9 m (56 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 15 t (33,951 lb) | 78 t (171,959 lb) |
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| First flight | 1959 | 1964 |
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| Crew and capacity | 1 pilot | 2 crew |
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| Engines | 1 × XLR99 rocket | 2 × J58 turbo-ramjet |
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| Built by | North American | Lockheed |
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| Country | USA | USA |
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