LOCKHEED GTD-21 TAGBOARD DRONE
The Lockheed D-21 (Project Tagboard) was an unmanned or “drone” aircraft designed to carry out high-speed, high-altitude strategic reconnaissance missions over hostile territory. It is a product of the Lockheed “Skunk Works” program that developed the A-12, YF-12, and SR-71 “Blackbird” manned aircraft in the 1960’s. The D-21 ramjet-powered reconnaissance drone was powered by a Marquardt RJ-43-MA-11 ramjet. Cruising at Mach 3.3 at an altitude of 90,000 feet, the D-21 had a range of over 3400 nautical miles. The D-21 was guided by an inertial navigation system on a pre-programmed flight profile.
Originally, the D-21 was designed to be launched from the back of a modified A-12 (redesignated M-12) carrier aircraft. The first flight of the D-21/M-12 combination took place on December 22, 1964, but the first D-21 release from an M-12 did not occur until March 5, 1966. two more launches were successful, but on July 30, 1966, a D-21 collided with the M-12 after release, destroying both aircraft and resulting in the death of one of the M-12’s crew members. No further “piggyback” launches were attempted.
A new launch system was developed using modified B-52H aircraft as carriers. The new D-21 configuration (designated D-21B) had dorsal mounting hooks for carriage under the B-52’s wing, and a solid rocket booster for the initial acceleration required to start the ramjet engine. The first launch from a B-52 took place on November 6, 1967, but the D-21 crashed. Several flights followed in 1968 with mixed success.
The first operational launch was on November 9, 1969, but the D-21B was lost. Several successful operational missions were flown over the next two years, but the D-21 program was highly classified and details have not been released. The program was canceled in 1971 and the D-21s were placed in storage. Display is access restricted.
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Span: | 19 ft (5.8 m) |
| Length: | 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m) |
| Height: | 7 ft 0.25 in (2.14 m) |
| Weight: | 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) |
| Armament: | None |
| Engines: | 1 – Marquardt RJ43-MA-20-B4 Ramjet |
| Crew: | None |
| Cost: | |
| Tail Number: | 528 |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Maximum Speed: | Mach 4 (2,500+) at 80,000 to 95,000 feet |
| Range: | 3,000 mi |
| Service Ceiling: | 95,000 feet |