during the cold war. SR-71 "Blackbird". An advanced, long-range, Mach 3.2 strategic reconnaissance aircraft. The Blackbird was designed to provide reconnaissance in defended airspace while improving aircrew survivability. In the Blackbird, mission success and survivability depended on aircraft speed. Ben Rich was responsible for engineering the spikes and engine inlet systems which made the Blackbirds the fastest jet aircraft in the world. F-117 Nighthawk. World's first production stealth aircraft. YF-22, prototype of the F-22 Raptor. References Further reading Janos, Leo (1996) Skunk Works. Little, Brown & Company, External links Rich's biography in the National Aviation Hall of Fame F-117a.com biography of Ben Rich 1925 births 1995 deaths Filipino emigrants to the United States Lockheed people Collier Trophy recipients National Aviation Hall of Fame inductees People from Manila Naturalized citizens of the United States Lockheed Martin people Deaths from esophageal cancer Deaths from cancer in California UC Berkeley College of Engineering alumni University of California, Los Angeles alumni