On October 9, 1999, the storied run of the Lockheed Martin SR-71 came to an end after more than 30 years of carrying out covert surveillance missions at an altitude three times as high as Mount Everest.

The SR-71, or "Blackbird" as it's commonly known, was developed by Lockheed Martin's legendary Skunk Works crew. It was a triumph of engineering that combined the most advanced technology available at the time in a way that hasn't been replicated since.

The SR-71 flew in the US Air Force for more than 30 years, breaking records for speed and distance that stand to this day. In the photos below, relive the stunning legacy of the world's fastest plane.