D-21

From OnAirpower.org

D-21

Designation: D-21 Manufacturer: Lockheed Nationality: American First Flight: December 22, 1964 Remarks: The D-21 was an early high-speed, high-altitude unmanned photo-reconnaissance UAV initially developed to be launched "piggyback" from an A-12, but later modified to be launched from a B-52.

Contents 1 Notes 2 Timeline 3 Sources 4 References

[edit] Notes

Design work on the D-21 began in 1963 at Lockheed's Burbank plant, with an initial example completed by June, 1963. Flight tests of the D-21 carried on the back of an M-12 began on December 22, 1964. On July 3, 1966, the first actual separation and launch of the D-21 from the M-12 was attempted. A malfunction in the D-21's engine caused it to hit the M-12, resulting in the loss of both aircraft. After the accident, Lockheed's Kelly Johnson immediately canceled the D-21/M-12 program and began looking for alternate launch platforms for the D-21^[1].

Two B-52Hs were subsequently modified in 1967-68 to carry a pair of D-21s on under-wing pylons^[1].

[edit] Timeline

• December 22, 1964 The D-21 high-speed, high-altitude UAV makes its first flight atop an M-21 reconnaissance aircraft (a modified version of the A-12/SR-71)^[2].

• March 5, 1966 The D-21 UAV is launched for the first time from an M-21 reconnaissance aircraft^[2].

[edit] Sources

• Wikipedia entry for D-21

• Lockheed D-21B Factsheet  at National Museum of the Air Force

• The D-21B and Project "Senior Bowl": As I Remember It  at BlackBirds.net

[edit] References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (Crowood), pg. 49
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=396&page=1