Lockheed D-21 (GTD-21) Operation Tagboard
March AFB Museum
May 4, 2008
In order to extend the range of their photographic missions with their Lockheed A-12s, the CIA and Lockheed came up with a "Mother-Daughter" solution. Two A-12s were modified to become two-seaters, with a pylon mounted on the fuselage between the twin vertical tails. The A-12s were redesignated as M-21 for Mother. On top of the pylon was mounted a ramjet powered drone with a camera, called the D-21 known as the Daughter, later becoming known as the GTD-21. test flights showed it added to the range of the M-21 by over 1000nmi at altitudes of 90,000ft. It also would allow for flights over well defended areas without risking a loss of crew.
On the 4th test flight of the M-D combo in 1966, an inflight accident caused the loss of both aircraft, as well as one crew member. The loss of the mothership, as well as other technical problems, resulted in the decision to drop the M-D combo.
Still wanting to use the drone, the mother ship was switched to a B-52, with the drone mounted to an underwing pylon, the same as the Hound dog cruise missile normally carried on later B52s. Because the D-21 was powered by a ramjet, engine startup required speeds above what was capable with the B-52. So, a rocket engine was mounted to the bottom of the drone for launch. The drone then became a GTD-21B.
The program wasn't considered a success, and the drones were stored at the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona.
The program was never publicized, and was unknown to the general public, until the drones were discovered by an IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) tour of the boneyard. At the time, individuals were allowed to leave their car or bus, and wander around to take pictures. Some individuals saw the D-21s off in a corner, and rushed over to take pictures, and the rest is history.
The drones were later offered to the Aerospace industry for testing along with a blackbird as a mothership, however, I don't believe anybody took up the offer.
Lockheed D-21 (GTD-21) Operation Tagboard
March AFB Museum
May 4, 2008
In order to extend the range of their photographic missions with their Lockheed A-12s, the CIA and Lockheed came up with a "Mother-Daughter" solution. Two A-12s were modified to become two-seaters, with a pylon mounted on the fuselage between the twin vertical tails. The A-12s were redesignated as M-21 for Mother. On top of the pylon was mounted a ramjet powered drone with a camera, called the D-21 known as the Daughter, later becoming known as the GTD-21. test flights showed it added to the range of the M-21 by over 1000nmi at altitudes of 90,000ft. It also would allow for flights over well defended areas without risking a loss of crew.
On the 4th test flight of the M-D combo in 1966, an inflight accident caused the loss of both aircraft, as well as one crew member. The loss of the mothership, as well as other technical problems, resulted in the decision to drop the M-D combo.
Still wanting to use the drone, the mother ship was switched to a B-52, with the drone mounted to an underwing pylon, the same as the Hound dog cruise missile normally carried on later B52s. Because the D-21 was powered by a ramjet, engine startup required speeds above what was capable with the B-52. So, a rocket engine was mounted to the bottom of the drone for launch. The drone then became a GTD-21B.
The program wasn't considered a success, and the drones were stored at the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona.
The program was never publicized, and was unknown to the general public, until the drones were discovered by an IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) tour of the boneyard. At the time, individuals were allowed to leave their car or bus, and wander around to take pictures. Some individuals saw the D-21s off in a corner, and rushed over to take pictures, and the rest is history.
The drones were later offered to the Aerospace industry for testing along with a blackbird as a mothership, however, I don't believe anybody took up the offer.