The SR-71 Blackbird

The CIA A-12 Blackbird Program

 

The A-12 started out as an USAF interceptor to replace the cancelled F-108A Rapier. In October 1962, CIA authorized the Skunk Works to study the feasibility of modifying the A-12 to carry and deploy a reconnaissance drone for unmanned overflight of denied areas. The project was codenamed TAGBOARD.

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Article rating: 3.9

A-12 Blackbird #06937 /#131

A-12 Blackbird #06937 /#131

A-12 #937 was the first aircraft to fly over North Vietnam on 31 May 1967. Later, #937 was used by NASA for flight testing.

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Article rating: 4.1
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Article rating: 4.0

A-12 Blackbird #06924 / #121

A-12 Blackbird #06924 / #121

The first A-12, known as Article 121, was built and ground tested in Burbank during January and February 1962. Because the aircraft was too secret to fly to the test site and too large to carry on a cargo plane, it had to be trucked. 

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A-12 Blackbird #06927 / #124B

A-12 Blackbird #06927 / #124B

The only A-12 trainer (927) was a two seater version intended for pilot training. The A-12B trainer was known as The Titanium Goose.

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Article rating: 3.7
Author: SR Admin
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Article rating: 3.8
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Article rating: 3.7
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Article rating: 3.5

A-12 Blackbird #06926 / #123

Article 123 was lost on 24 May 1963 during a low-altitude, subsonic flight to test an inertial navigation system.

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A-12 Blackbird #06928 / #125

A-12 Blackbird #06928 / #125

With a faulty fuel gauge, CIA Pilot Walt Ray was on final to Groom Lake, NV, when the A-12 ran out of fuel. Walt Ray ejected from the aircraft, he failed to seperate from the ejection seat and was killed when he landed in seat.

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Article rating: 4.4

A-12 Blackbird #06932 / #129

A-12 Blackbird #06932 / #129

While on a FCF (Functional Check Flight) CIA Pilot Jack Weeks and the A-12 disappered, No trace was ever found of pilot or aircraft.

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A-12 Blackbird #06939 / #133

The crash occurred on 9 July 1964 while Article 133 was approaching the runway after a Mach 3 check flight.

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A-12 Blackbird #06929 / #126

The newly-installed SAS (Stability Augmentation System) had the yaw and pitch gyros wired backwards, causing the airplane to lose complete control just seconds after takeoff from Groom Dry Lake; 

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Article rating: 3.3
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