This publication provides a fascinating look at NASA's research program using the YF-12. Among the aircraft designs that transitioned from paper to hardware during the high-speed era, the Lockheed Blackbirds hold a unique place. The A-12, YF-12A, M-21, D-21, and SR-71 variants outperformed all other jet airplanes in terms of altitude and speed. To this day, they remain the only production aircraft capable of sustained cruise in excess of Mach 3. Developed in utmost secrecy, they eventually became some of the world's most famous aircraft. Conceived originally as spyplanes, several Blackbirds saw service with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as research platforms. This monograph describes the first major NASA project involving the Blackbirds. Conducted with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a partner, the NASA/USAF YF-12 research lasted 10 years, and produced a wealth of data on materials, structures, loads, heating, aerodynamics, and performance for high-speed aircraft. More than two decades after the program ended, no comprehensive history of the joint program has yet been written. This monograph is an attempt to rectify that deficiency. Until recently, security restrictions prevented the release of some information relative to the YF-12. Since then, numerous documents have been declassified, and program participants are free to speak about previously restricted aspects of the project. Unfortunately, some who contributed to the NASA/USAF YF-12 investigations have not outlived the blanket of security that covered their work. Those who have must reach back more than 20 years to retrieve anecdotes and historical details. In a sense, the oral history interviews in this monograph amount to a sort of salvage archeology into the fading memories of the remaining YF-12 participants. Over the years, numerous books and articles have been written about the Blackbirds, but few give more than a brief description of the YF-12 and its role as a research aircraft. In this monograph, the author briefly describes the origins of the Blackbird family of aircraft and how NASA became involved with them. Each of the following chapters then describes a facet of the NASA/USAF YF-12 research program in detail.

"During the 1950s, American aircraft designers emphasized configurations that flew increasingly high and fast, a trend that continued for nearly two decades. Then, during the 1070s, efficiency, noise reduction, and fuel economy also became important considerations, in part because military analysts no longer deemed speed and altitude the paramount capabilities necessary to ensure national security. Among the aircraft designs that transitioned from paper to hardware during the high-speed era, the Lockheed Blackbirds hold a unique place. The A-12, YF-12A, M-21, D-21, and SR-71 variants outperformed all other jet airplanes in terms of altitude and speed. To this day, they remain the only production aircraft capable of sustained cruise in excess of Mach 3. Developed in utmost secrecy, they eventually became some of the world's most famous aircraft. Conceived originally as spyplanes, several Blackbirds saw service with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as research platforms. This monograph describes the first major NASA project involving the Blackbirds. Conducted with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a partner, the NASA/USAF YF-12 research lasted 10 years, and produced a wealth of data on materials, structures, loads, heating, aerodynamics, and performance for high-speed aircraft."--Preface.

This book puts the reader in the pilot's seat for a "day at the office" unlike any other. The Smell of Kerosene tells the dramatic story of a NASA research pilot who logged over 11,000 flight hours in more than 125 types of aircraft. Donald Mallick gives the reader fascinating first-hand description of his early naval flight training, carrier operations, and his research flying career with NASA. After transferring to the NASA Flight Research Center, Mallick became involved with projects that further pushed the boundaries of aerospace technology. These included the giant delta-winged XB-70 supersonic airplane, the wingless M2-F1 lifting body vehicle, and triple-sonic YF-12 Blackbird. Mallick also test flew the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle and helped develop techniques used in training astronauts to land on the Moon.

" This monograph describes how a failed state in 2030 may impact the United States and the global economy. It also identifies critical capabilities and technologies the US Air Force should have to respond to a failed state, especially one of vital interest to the United States and one on the cusp of a civil war. Nation-states can fail for a myriad of reasons: cultural or religious conflict, a broken social contract between the government and the governed, a catastrophic natural disaster, financial collapse, war and so forth. Nigeria with its vast oil wealth, large population, and strategic position in Africa and the global economy can, if it fails disproportionately affect the United States and the global economy. Nigeria, like many nations in Africa, gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. It is the most populous country in Africa and will have nearly 250 million people by 2030. In its relatively short modern history, Nigeria has survived five military coups as well as separatist and religious wars, is mired in an active armed insurgency, is suffering from disastrous ecological conditions in its Niger Delta region, and is fighting one of the modern world's worst legacies of political and economic corruption. A nation with more than 350 ethnic groups, 250 languages, and three distinct religious affiliations--Christian, Islamic, and animist Nigeria's 135 million people today are anything but homogenous. Of Nigeria's 36 states, 12 are Islamic and under the strong and growing influence of the Sokoto caliphate. While religious and ethnic violence are commonplace, the federal government has managed to strike a tenuous balance among the disparate religious and ethnic factions. With such demographics, Nigeria's failure would be akin to a piece of fine china dropped on a tile floor--it would simply shatter into potentially hundreds of pieces."--DTIC abstract.

With the success of the Apollo 11 landing on the Moon, Wernher von Braun presented an ambitious plan for manned missions to Mars as soon as the 1980s to the Space Task Group for consideration by President Richard Nixon as the next step in America's space program. Nixon rejected the plan, and the goal of humans on Mars remains unfulfilled. Here are the technical details of his incredible nuclear rocket powered proposal, which was based on studies by Boeing in 1968. Contents: Boeing 1968 Study Volume 1 * Boeing 1968 Study Volume 2 * 1969 von Braun Manned Mars Mission Proposal * von Braun's Integrated Space Program, 1970-1990. In his presentation, von Braun wrote: With the recent accomplishment of the manned lunar landing, the next frontier is manned exploration of the planets. Perhaps the most significant scientific question is the possibility of extraterrestrial life in our solar system. Manned planetary flight provides the opportunity to resolve this universal question thus capturing international interest and cooperation. The information presented here describes a method of landing men on the planet Mars in 1982. The scientific goals of the mission are described and the key decision dates are identified. The 1981 manned Mars mission (1982 landing on Mars) is shown as an integral part of the total space program for the next two decades. The systems and experience resulting from the Apollo program and the missions proposed for the 1970's provide the technical and programmatic foundation for this undertaking. A 1982 manned Mars landing is a logical focus for the programs of the next decade. Although the undertaking of this mission will be a great national challenge, it represents no greater challenge than the commitment made in 1961 to land a man on the moon. Several different modes are possible for accomplishing Mars landing missions, each with its peculiar advantages and disadvantages. The typical Mars Landing Mission begins with the boost of the planetary vehicle elements into Earth orbit utilizing the Saturn V and Space Shuttle vehicles. Following assembly of the complete planetary vehicle in Earth orbit, the Earth departure phase of the mission is initiated. The Mars vehicle then begins a 270-day journey to Mars. This is by no means an idle phase of the mission. In addition to observations of Mars, many other experiments and measurements will be made on both the Earth-to-Mars and Mars-to-Earth legs of the trip that are of prime scientific importance. The spacecraft represents a manned laboratory in space, free of the disturbing influences of the Earth. The fact that there will be two observation points, Earth and the spacecraft, permits several possible experiments regarding the temporal and spatial features of the interplanetary environment. In addition, the spacecraft can be used to supplement and extend numerous observations conducted from Earth orbital space stations, particularly in the field of astronomy. It is possible, for example, that as yet unidentified comets might be observed for the first time.