Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!marque!carroll1!dtroup
From: dtroup@carroll1.UUCP (Dave Troup)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: SR71 to be retired October 1st.
Keywords: SR71
Message-ID: <310@carroll1.UUCP>
Date: 15 Mar 89 01:39:26 GMT
References: <524@gonzo.UUCP> <1475@petsd.UUCP> <13987@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov> <1989Mar5.011448.24095@utzoo.uucp> <6083@leadsv.UUCP> <63@sppy00.UUCP> <6972@super.ORG> <66@sppy00.UUCP>
Reply-To: dtroup@carroll1.UUCP (Dave Troup)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Carroll College-Waukesha, WI
Lines: 28

In article <66@sppy00.UUCP> kco@sppy00.UUCP (Kevin ONeil) writes:
>In article <6972@super.ORG> mjt@super.UUCP (Michael J. Tighe) writes:
>>In article <63@sppy00.UUCP> kco@sppy00.UUCP (Kevin ONeil) writes:
>>>In an IEEE newspaper a while ago there was mention of an unmanned version of
>>>the SR71.  Is that to be retired also?
>>
>>As far as I know there was never an unmanned SR-71, but there were  
>>D-21 drones that were to fly on top of the A-12, but I don't know 
>>if this was ever done beyond the test stage. Two A-12's were converted
>>to carry the D-21; one crashed, the other is in storage.

	The D-21 drones were quite the neat little unit. The one that wiped out
	a Blackbird was launched, and didnt clear the shock cone. Dove back
	into the 71 and when the 71 pitched node positive, it broke in half.
	The only other photos that I have of D-21's are on the ground in
	storage or under the wings (2 of them) of a B-52.
	
	Looking @ them, you would have to admit that they would make a nice
	stealth cruise missle (high alt of course) without the vertical tail
	(now that we dont need them anymore, but supersonic cruise might
	present some YAW problems, so the tail will still be needed, Im not
	sure)>  
	
	I'll have to check, but Im sure the pilot survived and the
	'observer/weapons/intelligence' officer died either when the drone
	crushed his cockpit or during the breakup...
	
	>--