Saw an SR-71 takeoff at Buckley in Aurora, CO.... incredible. 80's.

Almost vertical off the runway.

The only thing I can think of that’s that fast is the scramjet program.
Which I thought was abandoned. But I’m not in that field - got out after graduation a very long time ago now - so I could be mistaken.

Was at the Reno Air Races more than a few decades ago when the SR-71 did a full afterburner flyby and departure, made my bowels rumble. When I was flying freight in Calif, i used to hear the controller say "roger, Aspen XXX descend and maintain FL550"
My mom worked for Lockheed, she brought me a Titanium Huck Bolt from a production manager at Burbank(SR-71). It was for the wing spar area.
Still have a picture in my home office.

https://youtu.be/6nuAZfKSvvg

It was at Will Rogers international airport. I watched it depart as well.

Thanks, I couldn’t remember. I knew it wasn’t at Wiley Post... :D