Lockheed D-21 Tagboard - (GTD-21B Serial No. 534) - Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum - McMinnville, Oregon - June 2, 2015 519 RT CRP
Lockheed D-21 Tagboard - (GTD-21B Serial No. 534)
The Lockheed D-21 is a stealthy, ramjet-powered, reconnaissance drone that was originally designed to be launched from the back of a CIA-operated Lockheed M-21 Mothership. The M-21 closely resembled the SR-71, with a hardpoint on its spine between the vertical stabilizers intended for carriage and launching of the D-21. After a test launch of the D-21 from an M-21 resulted in a fatal crash of the M-21 Mothership on July 30, 1966, the decision was made to modify the D-21 for launch from the B-52's underwing pylons. A booster rocket would be attached to the drone to provide the necessary velocity to allow the D-21B's Marquardt ramjet to operate.
Put into operation in 1969, the D-21B program was soon canceled in July 1971 due to its poor success rate and the increased capabilities of satellites and other systems.
The remaining D-21Bs were placed into mothballs, and given the designation GTD-21B ("GT" standing for "Ground Training") in the mid-to-late 1970s.
Lockheed D-21 Tagboard - (GTD-21B Serial No. 534) - Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum - McMinnville, Oregon - June 2, 2015 519 RT CRP
Lockheed D-21 Tagboard - (GTD-21B Serial No. 534)
The Lockheed D-21 is a stealthy, ramjet-powered, reconnaissance drone that was originally designed to be launched from the back of a CIA-operated Lockheed M-21 Mothership. The M-21 closely resembled the SR-71, with a hardpoint on its spine between the vertical stabilizers intended for carriage and launching of the D-21. After a test launch of the D-21 from an M-21 resulted in a fatal crash of the M-21 Mothership on July 30, 1966, the decision was made to modify the D-21 for launch from the B-52's underwing pylons. A booster rocket would be attached to the drone to provide the necessary velocity to allow the D-21B's Marquardt ramjet to operate.
Put into operation in 1969, the D-21B program was soon canceled in July 1971 due to its poor success rate and the increased capabilities of satellites and other systems.
The remaining D-21Bs were placed into mothballs, and given the designation GTD-21B ("GT" standing for "Ground Training") in the mid-to-late 1970s.