RF-12A2 Blackbird

- Ultra-High Altitude Interceptor -

HISTORY
Over the years of Blackbird Service it became evident that the SR-71 was becoming vulnerable to Fighters and Air Defenses from most any military. In 1998, during the Usean Rebellion multiple SR-71s were intercepted while returning from a long ranged mission with two XB-70A Valkyries, the result was the loss of all three SR-71s and the two XB-70s. In 2004 during the Usean Continental War between Erusea and the ISAF, an Erusean SR-71 was shot down over the Comona Islands; during Operation Countdown. A second one was lost during the battle of Whiskey Corridor in the final days of that war. Years later in 2010 in the opening days of the Circum-Pacific War, a Yuktobanian SR-71 was badly damaged by the Osean ADEZ Defense System and later crashed due to damage.

General Resource LTD, a world wide company on the Usean Continent was constantly having it’s facilities watched by Neucom aircraft, which had began to violate the Air Space restriction laws set by the UPEO. Neucom began flying at Ultra High Altitudes over GR controlled cites, bases and areas with their R-531 Moburas and R-311 escorts.

General Resource had a plan to modify the only aircraft they had capable of reaching those altitudes. They began retrofitting their SR-71's. Their Airframe was modified to carry missiles internally and was upgraded with new electronics, but the rest of the aircraft essentially remained the same as the SR-71.

Early in 2045, an entire Neucom Transport group consisting of four R-531s and six R-311s; was shot down by two modified SR-71 Blackbirds from GR’s White Valley Air Base. Another engagement took place over Expo City during a Neucom Air Strike which targeted General Resource Civilian Worker Facilities.

Featured In
Ace Combat 03: Electrosphere (JP) Ace Combat 03: Electrosphere (non-JP)

Operators
Universal Peace Enforcement Organization (AC3:US) General Resource Defense Force (AC3:JP)

Variants
SR-71 Blackbird

Weapons
Vulcan Machine Gun Heavy Machine Gun Standard Missile Short Range Missile MIRV

Stats and Specifics
Power: 100 Attack: 35 Defense: 75 Stability: 35 Mobility: 10 Width: 16.94 m Length: 31.65 m Height: 5.64 m Total mass: 78020 kg Max speed: 4883 km/h