YF-12A Mach 3+ Interceptor - "Setting The High Bar"

First flown August 7, 1963, the YF12 was a two seat interceptor version of the secret A-12 reconnaissance aircraft then operated by the CIA. Fitted with the Hughes AN/ASG-18 fire-control radar and armed with AIM-47 Falcon (GAR-9) air-to-air missiles, it was. intended to be a potential replacement for the F-106 Delta Dart. On May 1, 1965, two different YF-12A aircraft set a speed record of 2,070.101 miles per hour and an altitude record of 80,257.86 feet. For their speed record flight, Col. Robert L. "Fox" Stephens (pilot) and Lt. Col. Daniel Andre (fire control officer) received the 1965 Thompson Trophy. This record was eventually broken by and aircraft which was a further development of the A-12 program - the SR-71 Blackbird. Despite performing well in testing the program was cancelled. YF-12 aircraft continued flying for many years with the US Air Force and NASA performing research. Future Apollo 15 Lunar Module Pilot and moon walker Jim Irwin was one of the test pilots who flew the Yf-12.