Lockheed Martin SR-72

In theory, yes — to a degree.
If the SR-72 achieves its intended Mach 6 (over 7,400 km/h) speed, it could outrun or evade most surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles currently in service. Most modern long-range air defense missiles, such as the Russian S-400’s 40N6 or the U.S. AIM-120D, travel at Mach 4–5, which is slower than the SR-72’s projected speed.
Additionally, the SR-72’s high altitude (above 80,000 ft) and low radar cross-section (stealth) would make detection and interception extremely difficult.
That said, hypersonic flight introduces immense thermal and structural challenges, and interception technologies are rapidly evolving. Advanced hypersonic defense systems being developed by the U.S., Russia, and China could eventually threaten even Mach 6 aircraft.
So, while the SR-72 could outrun most missiles today, future hypersonic interceptors might narrow that advantage.

Most likely, yes — but not soon.
Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force have both indicated plans for a prototype flight, potentially in the late 2020s. In 2022, Lockheed confirmed that progress on the propulsion system was “proceeding as planned,” and reports suggest a demonstrator may already exist under classified testing.
If development continues as expected, the first flight could occur by 2028–2030. Operational deployment, however, would likely take several more years, depending on funding, testing success, and defense priorities.
In short:
The SR-72 is not flying yet.
It is expected to fly within the next decade.
Its success will depend on breakthroughs in hypersonic propulsion and materials.

The SR-72 is a real project, but not yet an operational aircraft. It is a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft concept being developed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division—the same team behind the SR-71 Blackbird. The company first confirmed the SR-72 concept publicly in 2013, describing it as a successor to the SR-71 capable of flying at speeds above Mach 6.
However, as of 2025, the SR-72 remains in the development and testing phase, with no full-scale prototype publicly confirmed. Lockheed Martin has hinted at engine and design progress, including successful tests of the turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) propulsion system, but the aircraft itself has not yet entered flight testing or production.
So, while the SR-72 is real as a program, it does not yet exist as a flying aircraft.