D-21 Aircraft - The Lockheed D-21 is an American supersonic reconnaissance aircraft. The D-21 was originally designed to be launched from the back of an M-21 fighter jet, a variant of the Lockheed A-12 fighter jet. The drone reached a speed of more than Mach 3.3 (2,200 miles per hour, 3,600 kilometers per hour) at an altitude of 90,000 feet (27,000 meters). Development began in October 1962. Originally known as Lockheed's Q-12, the drone was intended for deep reconnaissance in enemy airspace.
The D-21 is designed to carry a high-resolution camera along a pre-set path, releasing the camera array into the air for recovery, after which the drone will turn itself off.
D-21 Aircraft
After an emergency launch from an M-21, the D-21 was modified to be launched from a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. Several test flights were made, followed by four unsuccessful D-21 flights over the People's Republic of China, before the program was canceled in 1971.
Air Force Wanted To Turn Skunk Works' Mach 3 Capable Recon Drone Into A Nuclear Bomber
In the 1960s, Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works developed the Mach 3 A-12 fighter jet for the Ctral Intelligce Agcy (CIA). After the U-2 piloted by Gary Powers was shot down in the 1960s, some theories were proposed as different as others. Kelly Johnson, the director of Skunk Works, developed the concept of a long-range drone that made extensive use of A-12 technology. In October 1962, the CIA and the United States Air Force (USAF) commissioned Lockheed to study a high-altitude drone concept. Johnson claimed speeds of Mach 3.3–3.5, an operating altitude of 87,000–95,000 feet (27,000–29,000 m), and a range of 3,000 nautical miles (3,500 mi; 5,600). km). It's a one-way trip, dropping the payload to mission d for recovery, self-destruction.
A double delta wing similar to the wing design of the A-12. The Q-12 will be flown from the back of an A-12 and will use key technology from the A-12 program, including titanium construction and design features that reduce the area of the radar.
Rear view of the D-21 and M-21 units on the ground, showing the exhaust cowling used on the earlier aircraft.
Johnson wanted to power the Q-12 with a ramjet engine developed by the Marquardt Corporation for the Boeing CIM-10 Bomarc long-range aircraft. Marquardt and Lockheed had previously collaborated on several projects and had a close relationship. The engine, the RJ43-MA-11, must be changed as it is designed to fire only when the missile needs to hit a target, while the Q-12 engine runs at high temperatures for an hour and a half. at high altitudes. The modified jean is called RJ43-MA20S-4.
Lockheed D 21b
The full Q-12 was ready on 7 December 1962 and was first tested to measure the radar cross section. Marquardt's modified RJ-43 has been successfully tested in the current wind tunnel.
However, the CIA was not interested in the Q-12, as the agcy at that time was too busy with the U-2 missions, expanding the A-12, and the secret operations in Southeast Asia. The USAF was interested in the Q-12 as a platform and cruise missile, and the CIA eventually decided to work with the USAF to develop the new drone. Lockheed received a contract in March 1963 for full development of the Q-12.
The camera and its film inertial navigation system were carried in a narrow "Q-bay" under the air intake. These pieces are combined into a piece that fits into the bay and is known as a "hatch". The tray will be launched on the d of the mission and picked up from the air by a JC-130 Hercules, a technique developed by the USAF to retrieve film cartridges from satellites. If the C-130 crashes, the deck is equipped with parachutes that can be retrieved from the ship if it is launched over water. Honeywell built the avionics. New manufacturing techniques and tools must be developed to allow the systems to withstand the high temperatures, high vibrations and lack of air in the D-21.
In late 1963 the project was named Tagboard. the Q-12 was renamed the D-21 while the A-12 promoter became the M-21 (D- for "daughter" and M- for "mother"). Two of the first 18 A-12 aircraft were designated M-21s with serial numbers 60-6940 and 60-6941. The M-21 is a two-seat version of the A-12, with a pylon at the rear of the fuselage between the vertical stabilizers to bring the drone to an overhead position.
An Air To Air Right Side View Of An A 12 Blackbird Aircraft Carrying A D 21 Drone
A D-21 mounted on the M-21 began flight tests on 22 December 1964. Aero fairings were first installed on the intake and exhaust of the D-21 to reduce drag, but , should be removed after the first attempt, because no. it is conceivable to launch them at Mach 3 without destroying the drone or the aircraft carrier.
The drone was launched but stayed close to the back of the M-21 for a few seconds, what seemed like "two hours" to the M-21 team.
The second launch began on 27 April 1966. The D-21 reached its operational altitude of 90,000 ft (27,000 m) and a speed of Mach 3.3 (2,200 mph; 3,600 km/h), although it disappears due to hydraulic failure. pump after flying more than 1,200 nmi (1,400 mi; 2,200 km). USAF interest in the program continued and more D-21s were ordered after the second launch.
A third flight was made on 16 June with the D-21 flying 1,550 nmi (1,800 mi; 2,900 km) through its full flight history, although the rocket was not ejected. due to power failure.
Lockheed A 12 (m 21/sr 71 Blackbird) With D 21 Drone
The fourth and final launch by an M-21 on July 30 ended in disaster. Unlike the previous three releases, this one was taken straight and level, not in a loop to help separate the drone from the plane. The D-21 suffered from genetic problems and struck the tail of the M-21 after separation, leading to the destruction of both aircraft. Both passengers were ejected and landed in the sea. The pilot, Bill Park, survived, but the co-pilot, Ray Torrick, was killed.
After the accident, Johnson proposed to drop the D-21 from the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bomber and add a solid rocket booster to take it up a notch.
The drone was modified by adding attachments on its spine to match the transport pylon on the B-52, and attachments on its belly were modified to accommodate the rocket booster needed to increasing his speed until he works in his ramjet. Its stability stabilizer has increased by about 20%. The modified drone version was designated D-21B (no D-21A). Two B-52Hs were modified to carry two drones each through two large pylons that replaced the smaller pylons used for AGM-28 Hound Dog cruise missiles. The air gun and electronic warfare offices were replaced with two control centers. Command and telemetry systems were added and high-resolution cameras were installed to track the drones as they separated from the pylons. The flight commander on the B-52H can communicate with the D-21B and it can turn itself off.
A solid rock stimulator is larger and heavier than a drone. it is 44 ft 4 in (14 m) long and weighs 13,286 lb (6,000 kg). It has a tail fin on the bottom to hold it when the rock is released. The booster has a burn time of 87 seconds and a thrust of 27,300 pound-force (121 kN).
File:lockheed M 21 With D 21 Drone 2015 06 579.jpg
During ground service, everyone within 25 feet (7.6 m) must wear anti-static cords to prevent the discharge of static electricity that could activate the amplifier.
The first attempt to launch a D-21B was on September 28, 1967, but the drone fell from the B-52's landing gear due to a nut pulled on the pylon before landing. the aircraft has a built-in launch pad. Johnson admitted the incident was "very dangerous". Three more launches were made between November 1967 and January 1968. None were very successful, so Johnson ordered his team to do a full review before starting tests.
The next release was on April 10, 1968. It also failed because the genie didn't fire. On June 16, the D-21B successfully flew. jump to the specified height for its full form and the box is retracted.
The next two releases were failures, followed by another successful launch in December. An attempt in February 1969 to test the inertial navigation system using an actual mission record was a failure. Both flights were successful in May and July.
Sr 71 Blackbird And Lockheed D 21 Drone
Four operational missions with the D-21B were flown under the Sior Bowl code. These were conducted over the People's Republic of China from 9 November 1969 to 20 March 1971 to spy on the Lop Nor nuclear test site. The USAF's 4200th Support Squadron, based at Beale Air Force Base, California, flew missions, usually from Anders Air Force Base in Guam.
The Chinese government has not reported seeing the D-21B in flight. The former could not turn back
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