Iron Man Easter Egg - X-Jet

Actually the SR-71 including the title "Blackbird" is an actual jet that existed before the X-Men adopted it. It's fast and stealth so it is actually a logical reference when trying to emphasize the flight capabilities of a jet (or in this case a armor suit). I doubt it was intended as an X-Men reference.

Well.. it was known as the YF-22 but is now just the F-22 and is currently being used. It is the successor of the F-16 but not really a replacement since the F-16 is widely regarded as the best fighter jet ever made. This was wisely capitalized on back in the 90's and for the early designs of the YF-22... After the prototype and the production of the YF-22, the F-22 was quickly put into circulation earlier this decade and is favored by all/most of their pilots. You can thank me for this "too much information" post because of one night I had way too much time on my hands and someone studied the subject.. lol...

I spent 25 years in the USAF. The SR-71 WAS originally called the "Blackbird". It was also known by other names, depending where it was stationed (i.e. it was called the "Habu" in Okinawa, after the local poisonous snake). However, the "Blackbird" designation was originally, and always shall be, that of the SR-71.

The SR-71 was not originally known as the YF-22, but as the YF-12. It was originally supposed to be a high altitude fighter, but outran it's own bullets. The YF-22 didn't come along until almost 40 years later.

Actually Qix77, the F-15 was previously the best fighter jet until the F-22 came along. Not the F-16.

The reason for the SR-71 Blackbird appearing in the movie is simple: In the scene, Tony Stark is trying to see how far upwards the suit can fly in an attempt to break the altitude record which is currently held by the SR-71 at 85,000 feet. The actual X-Jet is based on the SR-71 Blackbird and is even credited as being developed by Lockheed, but has been modified with VTOL engines and is able to carry several passengers and is officially designated as the Blackbird and not the X-Jet even though it looks dark blue. The X-Men movies use the Blackbird-looking X-Jet as a nod to the original fans of the comic-book and early TV series because the X-Men currently use a B2 Bomber as their current mode of transport which is why it is called the X-Jet in most references and not the Blackbird. I just though you should know this because I have nothing better to do at 3:58 in the morning than display the pointless knowledge that has built up over the years.

Oh dear... Some of my fellow posters appear to need to spend a bit more time researching and checking their facts before posting... The SR-71 was *always* officially named "Blackbird," no matter where it flew from. "Habu" was an unofficial nickname, used by the pilots and crew of the A-12 OXCART, a CIA spyplane. The A-12 was designed and built by the same team as the Blackbirds and was almost identical in appearance and capabilities but preceded the SR-71 by several years. It's possible that "Habu" may have been carried over to the SR-71s too, but an affectionate nickname is all it ever was. The SR-71 was *not* originally known as the YF-22 *OR* the YF-12. The YF-12 was a variant of the aforementioned A-12 spyplane which was evaluated by the USAF as a high altitude / high speed interceptor. The claim that it outran its own bullets is ridiculous - it never had a gun; just three long range missiles and a great big radar. Arguing that either the F-15 or the F-16 are "better" or "worse" than the other is pointless. They are designed for different things. The F-15 is primarily an air superiority fighter and excels in this role with over one hundred aerial combat victories and no losses. The F-16 was designed to be a smaller, cheaper complement to the F-15 but evolved into a capable multirole aircraft in its own right. They do *different* jobs. The F-22 is *not* replacing the F-16 - it is taking over the air superiority role from the F-15. The various versions of the F-35 Lightning II, being smaller, cheaper but more adaptable complements to the F-22 are what will take over the F-16's role. I think that's everything... --Stix