alternatehistory.com

Those of you unfarmiliar with the above designation, the YF-12 was to be a fighter version of the famous SR-71 Blackbird spyplane. Three prototypes were produced which were able to carry and successfully fire three AIM 47A air to air missiles. However it was believed that the Soviets did not posess a bomber whose performance necessitated such a high performance interceptor. My question is what if Robert McNamara and the pentagon decided otherwise and actually ordered the original 93 aircraft from Lockheed, or perhaps even proceeded with a bomber version of the plane as well. What would the soviet response be to the USAF fielding a fighter and possibly bomber that was virtually immune to all forms of air defense of the day? How long could the YF-12 fleet stay in service? Would the US sell any to allies? Would this affect the current debate over the F-22 production cuts?
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