Why Did Lockheed Build The SR-71 With Titanium?

The incredible speed machine SR-71 Blackbird is as famous for outrunning missiles and soaring to the edge of space as it was notorious for spilling fuel on the ground from its titanium skin. The physics-defying jet was made of over 90% titanium by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Work’s division. The mastermind behind the record-breaking spy plane was none other than the legendary Kelly Johnson who created many iconic planes like the P-38 Lightning, F-104, U-2 Dragon Lady, and others.