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@DabsMalone argues the SR-71 and B-2 were products of a past era that allowed…

2026-08-07 · 15:10 UTC ·@DabsMalone ·0 min read

Brief

@DabsMalone contends that breakthrough platforms like the SR-71 and B-2 arose from a risk-tolerant, well-funded era that empowered small teams. He asserts the industry has since consolidated (51 → 5 contractors), and that procurement rules, regulation, and lobbying now protect incumbents and stifle disruptive innovation; a commenter points to Northrop Grumman’s 1980s engineers as a surviving example.

Why it matters

@DabsMalone argues the SR-71 and B-2 were products of a past era that allowed 'obscene' spending, accepted failure, and empowered small teams to solve seemingly impossible engineering problems.

Key details

  • He claims the defense sector consolidated from 51 major contractors down to five, and that procurement practices, regulation, and incumbent lobbying now create a moat that blocks challengers who can’t out-lobby, out-wait or out-comply incumbents.
  • Commenter Saint Nomad (@Saint_n0mad) highlights Northrop Grumman engineers in the 1980s as an example of that era's 'madness' and shared a related video, suggesting legacy firms retain deep capabilities.
Source evidence

People look at the SR-71 and B-2 and assume the government must have technology today that would melt our brains.

I suspect the opposite.

Those aircraft came from an era willing to spend obscene money, accept failure and give small teams the authority to solve impossible problems.

Since then, 51 major defense contractors became five. Procurement became a moat. Regulation became an incumbent advantage.

The companies meant to be challenged learned how to out lobby, out wait and out comply the challengers.

Saint Nomad (@Saint_n0mad)

engineers of Northrop grumman did pull off this kind of madness in 80s

wonder what they might’ve in their arsenal

Video

— https://nitter.net/Saint_n0mad/status/2085714743680282733#m