The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and the development of a kinetic-energy anti-satellite (KE-ASAT) kill vehicle (KKV) have fallen foul of US President Clinton, who used the "line-item veto" to scrap funding for both.
The funds were cut as Clinton revised the $248 billion fiscal year 1998 defence spending bill. Funding for 13 projects was eliminated, including $38 million for further KE-ASAT development , and $39 million for continued operation of two Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft.
To avoid a confrontation with congressional leaders, Clinton did not touch funds for another eight Lockheed Martin C-130J transports that the US Air Force had not requested.
The US Congress ordered that two supersonic SR-71As, retired in 1989, be returned to service two years ago, and has funded the programme since.
An SR-71B which the USAF and NASA share may continue to be flown.
Source: Flight International
