Lockheed SR-71

Lets start with the stats:

• Crew: 2
• Payload: 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) of sensors
• Length: 107 ft 5 in (32.74 m)
• Wingspan: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m)
• Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
• Wing area: 1,800 ft² (170 m²)
• Empty weight: 67,500 lb (30,600 kg)
• Loaded weight: 170,000 lb (77,000 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 172,000 lb (78,000 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney J58-1 continuous-bleed afterburningturbojets, 32,500 lbf (145 kN) each
• Wheel track: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)
• Wheel base: 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m)
• Aspect ratio: 1.7

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 3.2+ (2,200+ mph, 3,530+ km/h, 1,900+ knots) at 80,000 ft (24,000 m)
• Range: 2,900 nmi (5,400 km)
• Ferry range: 3,200 nmi (5,925 km)
• Service ceiling: 85,000 ft (25,900 m)
• Rate of climb: 11,810 ft/min (60 m/s)
• Wing loading: 94 lb/ft² (460 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.382

Of these two stand out. Speed; Mach 3.2 and operational height (85,000 feet). I believe the OH is in level flight as, without checking, it has been exceeded. The technology used in it's creation was very advanced for it's time. It is, as has been said of Concord, a vehicle for which one may ask - why has nothing better been created? We peaked, then took several steps back. Of course, one might guess something IS out there (a super fast stealth) but by virtue of it's very design we have yet to see or read about it. Maybe, but until then this could be called one of our 'best of the best'.