/2
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). The Lockheed M-21 Blackbird "mothership" was designated M/D-21s when the D-21 "daughter" drone was mounted on top.
One of the two M-21s was lost in a D-21 launch accident in 1966. The M/D-21 project was canceled after four flight tests, but the D-21 drone was further adapted in the late 1960s to be launched from B-52H bombers. This later version, designated D-21B and mated with a large, solid-propellant rocket for launch, flew the only operational missions.
During a reconnaissance mission, the D-21 drone would follow a pre-programmed flight path over areas of interest. The drone would then return to international airspace, where the reconnaissance film package, equipped with its own parachute, was ejected. The package would be recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped airplane or at sea by a ship. Shortly after the film package was jettisoned, the drone self-destructed.
The Museum's D-21 was acquired from the U.S. Air Force in November 1993. In 1994, it was reunited with the only surviving Lockheed M-21 "mothership." The D-21 is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
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). The Lockheed M-21 Blackbird "mothership" was designated M/D-21s when the D-21 "daughter" drone was mounted on top.
One of the two M-21s was lost in a D-21 launch accident in 1966. The M/D-21 project was canceled after four flight tests, but the D-21 drone was further adapted in the late 1960s to be launched from B-52H bombers. This later version, designated D-21B and mated with a large, solid-propellant rocket for launch, flew the only operational missions.
During a reconnaissance mission, the D-21 drone would follow a pre-programmed flight path over areas of interest. The drone would then return to international airspace, where the reconnaissance film package, equipped with its own parachute, was ejected. The package would be recovered in mid-air by a specially equipped airplane or at sea by a ship. Shortly after the film package was jettisoned, the drone self-destructed.
The Museum's D-21 was acquired from the U.S. Air Force in November 1993. In 1994, it was reunited with the only surviving Lockheed M-21 "mothership." The D-21 is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
The Blackbird family of aircraft cruised at speeds of more than Mach 3 and flew over 85,000 feet...
Learn More Lockheed M-21 (Blackbird)
