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Lockheed D-21
Photo: U.S. Air Force · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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LockheedD-21

Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · United States · 1969
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LockheedD-21

Lockheed D-21
Lockheed D-21 Photo: U.S. Air Force · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
MASS (Military Archive Scoring System) 40
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sensor Payload
30
Endurance
50
Operating Altitude
70
Range
60
Data-Link
20
Stealth / Survivability
10
Image Quality
40
Autonomy
25
Technology
80
Cost-Effectiveness
15
Methodology ↗ → Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones ranking
Origin United States
ManufacturerLockheed Corporation
CategoryReconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
EraCold War
In service1969–1971
Operators1 countries
Quantity38
⬇ Overview
⚙ Specs
⊕ History
⊕ Operators
⚖ MASS Score
📚 Sources
Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
⊟ Reconnaissance / Surveillance Dronesranking ↗methodology ↗
40
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones MASS Rating
20/28
Cold War
216/288
All-Time
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · 10 axes scored
Sensor Payload
30
Endurance
50
Operating Altitude
70
Range
60
Data-Link
20
Stealth / Survivability
10
Image Quality
40
Autonomy
25
Technology
80
Cost-Effectiveness
15
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed D-21
Category
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
Country
United States
Prime contractor
Lockheed Corporation
Production
1969–1971
Quantity
38
Operators
1 countries
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · COLD WAR
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
10
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
MASS SCORE ↗
40
reconnaissance / surveillance drones category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • UAV ClassHigh-altitude long-endurance
  • Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
  • First Flight1964
  • Service Entry Year1969
  • Primary RoleStrategic reconnaissance
  • In ServiceYes
◈Airframe6MOD.6
  • Length12.802 m
  • Wingspan5.8 m
  • Height2.1 m
  • Empty Weight4,600 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight5,000 kg
  • Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant3MOD.3
◇Performance6MOD.6
  • Top Speed3,540 km/h
  • Cruise Speed4,061.621 km/h
  • Service Ceiling27,432 m
  • Range5,556 km
  • Endurance1.5
  • Maximum Payload1,000 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
▤Armament4MOD.4
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
▲Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built38
  • Operators2
  • Variants2
◎Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year1971
  • Production Start1963
  • Production End1971
  • Operational Statusretired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1964Entered service
  2. 1969Production started
  3. 1971Production ended
57
years in service
2
years in production
38
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
United StatesACTIVE
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
Autonomous
Capable of performing tasks or missions without direct human control, using onboard systems to make decisions and execute actions.
EO/IR Sensor
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones Cold War United States Lockheed Corporation
📚 Sources
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