Lockheed A-12 Oxcart.
documentedsource_actorPrivate Aerospace Contractors
CIA Mach 3+ reconnaissance aircraft (Project Oxcart), 93% titanium, internal codename 'Archangel.' First flew at Groom Lake April 1962; precursor to the SR-71.
Won Project GUSTO over Convair's Kingfish in 1959. Built in Burbank, disassembled, and trucked to Area 51 in a $100k custom trailer; first flight 26 April 1962 (Lou Schalk). Much of its titanium was covertly sourced via dummy companies from the USSR itself. 18 airframes built (13 A-12, 3 YF-12A, 2 M-21). Flew Project Blackshield missions over Vietnam/North Korea 1967, retired 1968 in favor of the USAF SR-71. Flown by CIA pilots with no military markings.