Lockheed D-21B Reconnaissance Drone - Beale AFB, Marysville, CA - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The Lockheed D-21 ('D' for daughter) was an American Mach 3+ reconnaissance drone. Similar in design to the Blackbird, it was built to overfly the Lop Nur nuclear test facility in China. The drone was launched from the back (between the vertical fins) of a specially modified A-12, known as M-21 ('M' for mother), of which there were two built. Development began in October 1962; first flight was 22 December 1964; first actual launch on 5 March 1966; introduced in 1969.

On 30 July 1966, on the fourth test launch off the California coast, D-21 #504 collided with its mother's vertical fin causing the loss of both aircraft. Pilot Bill Park and Launch Control Engineer Ray Torick both ejected safely, but Ray Torrick subsequently drowned. Following this fatal mid-air collision, the drones were re-built as D-21Bs, and launched with a rocket booster from B-52Hs. Four operational missions were conducted over China, but the camera packages were never successfully recovered, prompting the cancellation of the program on 23 July 1971. This is the 28th of 38 drones constructed by Lockheed Skunk Works, Palmdale, CA.

Specifications:
Crew: 0
Power Plant: 1× 1,500 lbf Marquardt RJ43-MA-20S-4 ramjet
Dimensions:
- Span: 19' 0"
- Length: 42' 10"
- Height: 7' 0"
Weight:
- Empty: lb
- Launch: 11,000 lb
Performance:
- Speed:
- - Max: 2,210 mph/M3.35
- - Cruise: mph
- Range: 3,450 miles
- Ceiling: 95,000 ft
- Climb: fpm

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Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Lockheed D-21B Reconnaissance Drone Tail Number: (S/N): s/n 528 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Located at the intersection of Warren Shingle Rd & A St, Beale AFB, Marysville, CA inside / outside: outside Access restrictions: Located on Beale AFB, Marysville, CA Other Information:: Not listed

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