The Lockheed D-21 is an American supersonic reconnaissance drone. The D-21 was initially designed to be launched from the back of an M-21 carrier aircraft, a variant of the Lockheed A-12 aircraft.

The Lockheed D-21 was a highly-advanced, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) designed to carry out high-speed, high-altitude strategic reconnaissance missions over hostile territory. Developed by the famed Lockheed "Skunk Works” in the 1960s, the D-21 used technology from the A-12/YF-12/SR-71 “Blackbird” family of high-speed manned aircraft.

The D-21 drone was an unpiloted aircraft originally designed for CIA and Air Force surveillance missions over particularly hostile territories. Launched from airborne carrier aircraft, the D-21's Marquardt ramjet engine propelled it at speeds over 2,000 mph (3,200 km/h).

Mar 20, 2019 · In the final analysis, the D-21 remains a remarkable achievement and we should appreciate it as an historical artifact, and a great example of technological innovation by the Lockheed Skunk Works and the NRO.

Jan 16, 2022 · For this reason in the 1960s the famed Lockheed “Skunk Works” developed the D-21 a highly-advanced, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) designed to carry out high-speed, high-altitude strategic reconnaissance missions over hostile territory.

Dec 30, 2023 · Originally designed for the Central Intelligence Service (CIA) and the United States Air Force surveillance missions over particularly hostile territories, the D-21 was a remotely piloted...

Aug 16, 2022 · The Lockheed D-21 drone was a sophisticated attempt by the US to create an unmanned reconnaissance air vehicle that could spy on its Cold War rivals, the Soviet Union and China, without risking the lives of its Air Force personnel.

Lockheed D-21 Tagboard. Development of the D-21 Mach 3+ reconnaissance drone began in October 1962. The drone, then known by the Lockheed designation Q-12, was intended to supplement the CIA's A-12 aircraft for missions which required exceptionally long range and/or were too sensitive for the use of a manned aircraft.

Jul 6, 2017 · Page details technical specifications, development, and operational history of the Lockheed D-21 High-Altitude, High-Speed Reconnaissance Drone including pictures.

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, followed by the drone’s self-destruct. learn more…