SR-71 Blackbird Test Pilot Honored
1 source · first reported 10h ago
Air Force Test Pilot Capt. Robert Gilliland Sr. was the first to fly the SR-71 Blackbird in 1964. He tested almost every SR-71 and logged the most test flight hours at Mach 3. Gilliland was recently laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Why it matters
The SR-71 Blackbird is a significant piece of defense technology, representing a major milestone in supersonic flight. Gilliland's contributions to its development are a notable part of aviation history.
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