64 Years Since Project OXCART: Every Plane in the Blackbird Family
64 years ago, the A-12 Oxcart made its first flight. A part of the top-secret CIA project known as OXCART and assembled away from prying eyes in Lockheed's famed Skunk Works facility, the A-12 would go on to shape aerial reconnaissance for decades to come, pushing boundaries and breaking records. The A-12 blueprint would later develop into the better-known SR-71, which was larger and more advanced.
What many people don't know is that there was more to the Blackbird family than just the A-12 and SR-71. Here is every plane in the Blackbird family:
1. The A-12 Oxcart
The A-12 was the original Blackbird, developed under top-secrecy in Lockheed's famed "Skunk Works" for the CIA. The A-12 was tested under high secrecy in modern-day Area 51, and was kept under wraps from the public, with the CIA never acknowledging its existence until decades later. Equipped with powerful turbo-ramjet engines that propelled it to 2200 mph and cutting-edge camera so powerful they could detect minute details at 90,000 feet, the single-seat A-12 was significantly smaller, lighter, faster, and flew higher than its soon-to-be successors. To withstand the intense, 500-degree heat, the A-12 was 93% titanium, sourced in secret from the oblivious Soviet Union. 15 were built, and its only operational mission was Operation Black Shield, before it was retired after just a year in favor of the newer SR-71.
2. The SR-71 Blackbird
The SR-71 Blackbird was the most famous of the Blackbirds, as it was less secretive then its predecessor, the A-12. The A-12 was essentially the proof-of-concept for the more robust SR-71, which was both longer and heavier because it carried a wider range of sensors and tech to support a wider range of operations. It had two seats instead of one, and while the A-12 was built for short sprints, the SR-71 was designed for long-range missions and had air-to-air refueling capabilities. The SR-71 was operated by the USAF, who had taken over the project from the CIA, and was used much more widely than the rather short-lived Oxcart. Of all the Blackbirds, it saw the most service, flying hundreds of hours over 33 years in diverse operations in both the USAF and NASA. It set dozens of speed and altitude records, and was never lost to enemy fire, outrunning the over 4,000 missiles shot at it during its career. Though slightly slower and lower than the lighter A-12, the SR-71 was much more storied over its long life, earning its claim to fame with incredible records over hundreds of operations.
3. The YF-12
The YF-12 was the short-lived fighter cousin of the reconnaissance A-12. Designed to be a Mach 2+ fighter-interceptor capable of launching missiles at blistering speeds, the YF-12 was essentially an A-12 that could shoot. Because it was based on the massive A-12, it was the largest and heaviest interceptor at the time. In order to make it as maneuverable as the smaller fighters of the time, Lockheed equipped it with advanced guidance and control systems. A notable feature of the YF-12 is its nose, which is cone-shaped, unlike the flat, tapered nose of the A-12. This was to house its massive AN/ASG-18 radar that was used to guide missiles and navigate. The YF-12, coming before the SR-71, set many records that would later be broken by it. In all, 3 prototypes were built and tested extensively by NASA and the USAF, but the project was eventually cancelled due to cost and operational reasons. YF-12s continued to serve in a research role for years after the project's cancellation.
4. The M-21 Blackbird
The M-21 is arguably the most exotic of the Blackbirds. A modified A-12, the M-21 (with "M" standing for mother[ship]) was a drone carrier version that was intended to launch a D-21 drone (with "D" standing for daughter[ship]). The D-21 was a remotely-piloted aircraft that could travel at speeds of Mach 3+ (2,500 mph) and was intended for high-speed, high altitude reconnaissance missions over hostile territory without the risks and speed limitations of manned aircraft. The D-21 was attached to the M-21 via a large pylon sticking out of the M-21's tail, and was intended to be flown near hostile territory and released. The D-21 would fire its own engines and gather intelligence before self-destructing or crashing to prevent sensitive technology from falling into enemy hands. 2 M-21 prototypes were built and tested, but following an incident when a D-21 suffered an engine flameout and collided with its M-21 mothership, breaking it up (both crewmembers ejected but one was killed by drowning), the project was cancelled and the D-21 continued to be tested on the B-52.
Conclusion
The Blackbird project represented the pinnacle of aviation innovation in the Cold War, pushing the boundaries of aviation technology with cutting-edge innovation, opening vast new frontiers, and leaving a legacy of records and milestones.
