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|---|---|---|---|
| Description | |||
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed | ||
| Designation: | D-21 | ||
| Version: | B | ||
| Nickname: | |||
| Type: | Reconnaissance | ||
| Specifications (Lockheed D-21A) | |||
| Length: | 42 ft 10 in | M | |
| Height: | M | ||
| Wingspan: | 19 ft | M | |
| lbs | Kg | ||
| Launch Weight: | 11,000 lbs | Kg | |
| Propulsion | |||
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | Marquardt ramjet RJ43-MA-11 using JP-7 fuel | ||
| Thrust (each): | |||
| Performance | |||
| Range: | 3,450 miles | Km | |
| Max Speed: | 2,700 Mph | Km/H | Kt |
| Ceiling: | 95,000 Ft | M | |
Lockheed D-21 Drone
The Lockheed D-21 was a Mach 3+ reconnaissance drone. The drone was originally designed to be launched off the back of its A-12-based M-21 aircraft. Development began in October 1962. Originally known by the Lockheed designation Q-12, it was intended for reconnaissance missions deep into enemy airspace. The D-21 was designed to carry a single high-resolution photographic camera over a pre-programmed path, then release the camera module into the air for retrieval and self-destruct.
In late 1963, the project was named "Tagboard"; the Q-12 was re-designated D-21 while the A-12 version became M-21 (D- for "daughter" and M- for "mother"). Two production slots from the original 18 A-12 units were designated for the M-21, serial numbers 60-6940, and -6941. The M-21 was a two-seat version of the A-12, with a pylon on the fuselage centerline between the tailfins to carry the drone in a nose-up attitude. A periscope allowed the back-seater, or "Launch Control Operator (LCO)", to observe the D-21. Two M-21s were built, along with an initial batch of seven D-21s for test flights.
The M-21/D-21 program was canceled after an in-flight accident in July 1966. After this the D-21 drone was modified to the D-21B version to add a booster rocket and mount on an underwing pylon on B-52Hs. After flight testing and four operational launches, the B-52H/D-21B program was ended in July 1971.
The D-21 Drone was delivered to the museum on July 19, 2007, and it is on loan from the USAF.
