Thread: Rarest of the Rare Static Displays: Blackbird, Oxcart, MD-21
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 06:31 AM
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FTroopChief
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Default Re: Rarest of the Rare Static Displays: Blackbird, Oxcart, MD-21
The rarest of the rare::

[edit] M-21/D-21

Main article: Lockheed D-21/M-21

D-21B Drone mounted on M/D-21 Blackbird


One notable variant of the basic A-12 design was the M-21, used to carry and launch the D-21 drone, an unmanned, faster and higher-flying reconnaissance craft. The M-21 was an A-12 platform modified by replacing the single-seat aircraft's Q bay (which carried its main camera) with a second cockpit for a Launch Control Operator/Officer (LCO). When mated to the drone for operations, this A-12 variant was known as the M/D-21. The D-21 drone was completely autonomous; having been launched it would overfly the target, travel to a predetermined rendezvous point and eject its data package. The package would be recovered in midair by a C-130 Hercules and the drone would self-destruct.
The program to develop this system was canceled in 1966 after a drone collided with the mother ship at launch, destroying the M-21 and killing the LCO. Three successful test flights had been conducted under a different flight regime; the fourth test was in level flight, considered an operational likelihood. The shock wave of the M-21 retarded the flight of the drone, which crashed into the tailplane. The crew survived the midair collision but the LCO drowned when he landed in the ocean and his flight suit filled with water.[6]
The M/D-21 performed operational missions over China in 1970 and 1971.
The surviving M-21 is on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington with a drone. The D-21 was adapted to be carried on wings of the B-52 bomber.

What went up at Groom Lake, didn't necessarily come down at Grrom Lake (Area 51)

John P.

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