> The Air Force and NASA destroyed a $600 million supply of spare parts for the Blackbird fleet in 2007. The move came long after it seemed unlikely, if not impossible, that an SR-71A would return to operational service.

There's also the issue of converting a tanker back so it can carry the SR-71's unique fuel again. And for that matter, making a supply of JP-7 again. No other planes today use JP-7.

"It's not my money!"

▲

trhway 2 hours ago | parent [-]

it looks like it would be much easier to get a powerful regular fighter jet engine (even old Mig-25 engines were fine for 2.8M), stick it to pilotless frame and just launch. Work a bit on intake shape, modern materials, CFD, and probably you can push it well into 3+.

	▲	walrus01 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		This is essentially the thought process behind the Hermeus Quarterhorse which is already a thing that exists and is in active development: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=hermeus+q...