YF-12: The High-Speed Interceptor That Never Flew

The YF-12 was a prototype interceptor aircraft developed by the United States Air Force in the 1960s. It was a derivative of the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance plane and was designed to intercept and destroy Soviet bombers at high altitude and high speeds. The YF-12 was powered by three Pratt & Whitney J58 engines and had a top speed of over Mach 3. It was armed with three AIM-47 Falcon missiles and was equipped with advanced radar and avionics systems. However, due to changes in the strategic environment and budget constraints, the YF-12 program was canceled in 1968 and only three aircraft were built. One of these aircraft is currently on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.