Russian missiles could not get to it. They fired on it as it wasn't stealthy. Their misslies were like 2 or 3 times slower and with the SR-71 so high up it was impossible and probably still hard to shoot down given Eastern military technology. Modern systems like the Patriot missile should be able to engage it. There would be some other surface to air systems able to get at it, but I highly doubt that countries that pose a significant threat to the National Security of the United States lack the necessary equipment to engage and destroy that aircraft. An F-22 probably won't be able to shoot it down. This is based on not too much research and some assumptions, especially with the Patriot system. I do know that a patriot missile does accelerate to 5 times the speed of sound and may be used to shoot down Intercontinental- and ordinary ballistic missiles. Hell, baislically anything that flies.
I know that. It was also very badly designed, they used to put containers under it's wings when it was stored or put in a hangar. Apparently you could hear the fuel dripping out.
Exactly. Without the expansion room in the panels the plane would simply fall apart at cruising speed, which is actually why they were only fueled up right before takeoff, they were never stored with any fuel on board.
Between the plane leaking fuel and the amount of fuel those engines burn during a flight plus the distance of each run it needs to be refueled quickly.
"A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action.[3][4]" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_SR-71_Blackbird#cite_ref-Pace_p126-7_4-2
" The SR-71 has never been shot down by the Russians? Fuck it, just say it's too fast for missiles "
So which one will win?