Lockheed A-12
Reconnaissance Aircraft
Photo ©: Karsten Palt
The Lockheed A-12 Oxcart is a twin-engined single-seat long-range supersonic strategic reconnaissance aircraft produced by the American manufacturer Lockheed Corporation in operation from 1963 until 1968 by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The A-12 was designed by the Lockheed Advanced Development Projects Devision better known as Lockheed Skunk Works for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It is the predecessor of the better known SR-71 Blackbird. The total production numbers include one A-12 two-seat trainer aircraft (60-692 called Titanium Goose) and two Lockheed M-21 carrier aircraft to launch the Lockheed D-21 Mach 3+ reconnaissance drone.
| Crew | 1 | |
| Propulsion | 2 Turbojet Engines | |
| Engine Model | Pratt & Whitney J58-1 | |
| Engine Power (each) dry/with Afterburner | 106,8 / 151,2 kN | 24000 / 34000 lbf |
| Speed | 3556 km/h | 1920 kts 2209 mph |
| Mmo (max. Mach) | Mach 3.35 | |
| Service Ceiling | 28.956 m | 95.000 ft |
| Rate of climb | 3597 m/min | 11800 ft/min |
| Range | 4.074 km | 2.200 NM 2.532 mi. |
| Empty Weight | 24.766 kg | 54.600 lbs |
| max. Takeoff Weight | 56.518 kg | 124.600 lbs |
| Wing Span | 16,95 m | 55 ft 7 in |
| Wing Area | 170,0 m² | 1830 ft² |
| Length | 30,97 m | 101 ft 7 in |
| Height | 5,62 m | 18 ft 5 in |
| First Flight | 30.04.1962 | |
| Production Status | out of production | |
| Production Range | 1962-1964 | |
| Total Production | 15 | |
| Data for (Version) | Lockheed A-12 | |
| [Photo-ID: 5807] © Karsten Palt 2012-06-10 | |
 | Lockheed A-12 Oxcart United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6924 c/n: 121 First A-12 prototype |
| Blackbird Airpark [Palmdale, CA] | |
| [Photo-ID: 5808] © Karsten Palt 2012-06-10 | |
 | Lockheed A-12 Oxcart United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6924 c/n: 121 First A-12 prototype |
| Blackbird Airpark [Palmdale, CA] | |
| [Photo-ID: 7871] © Karsten Palt 2014-03-09 | |
 | Lockheed A-12 Oxcart United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6925 c/n: 122 |
| Intrepid Air, Space & Sea Museum [New York City, NY] | |
| [Photo-ID: 11231] © Karsten Palt 2015-05-31 | |
 | Lockheed A-12 Oxcart United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6927 c/n: 124 two-seat variant |
| California Science Center [Los Angeles, CA] | |
| [Photo-ID: 11232] © Karsten Palt 2015-05-31 | |
 | Lockheed A-12 Oxcart United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6927 c/n: 124 two-seat variant |
| California Science Center [Los Angeles, CA] | |
| [Photo-ID: 11233] © Karsten Palt 2015-05-31 | |
 | Lockheed A-12 Oxcart United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6927 c/n: 124 two-seat variant |
| California Science Center [Los Angeles, CA] | |
| [Photo-ID: 6145] © Karsten Palt 2012-06-14 | |
 | Lockheed A-12 Oxcart United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6933 c/n: 130 |
| San Diego Air and Space Museum [San Diego, CA] | |
| [Photo-ID: 12443] © Karsten Palt 2016-04-12 | |
 | Lockheed M-12 United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6940 c/n: 134 launch platform for the D-21 Drone, one of two converted A-12, last remaining |
| Museum of Flight [Seattle, WA] | |
| [Photo-ID: 12444] © Karsten Palt 2016-04-12 | |
 | Lockheed M-12 United States Air Force (USAF) Reg.: 60-6940 c/n: 134 launch platform for the D-21 Drone, one of two converted A-12, last remaining |
| Museum of Flight [Seattle, WA] | |