Lockheed A12 USA Air Force Aviation Photo 5918317

The Lockheed A-12 is a retired high-altitude, Mach 3+ reconnaissance aircraft built for the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by Lockheed 's Skunk Works, based on the designs of Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. Unlike the later USAF YF-12A and SR-71, the A-12 Oxcart was a single seat aircraft, with the exception of one two-seat trainer version of the A-12, aircraft #60-6927, named the "Titanium.

Lockheed A12 USA Air Force Aviation Photo 5918317

The capital was in the throes of Persian Gulf war fever, but this January 5 session focused on another crisis: what to do about the Navy's A-12 aircraft, which was at least $1 billion over budget, 8,000 pounds overweight, and eighteen months behind schedule. Secretary Garrett argued for a federal bailout to rescue the plane. Others demurred. by Alex Hollings Here's What You Need to Know: In the years that followed, the United States government and the A-12 Avenger II's contractors, McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics, would go. During testing, the A-12 reached a speed of Mach 3.29 (over 2,200 mph) and an altitude of 90,000 feet,[iii] and in doing so, set an unbroken record for piloted jet aircraft.[iv] The development of the A-12 was no walk in the park. CIA set strict requirements for speed, altitude, range and radar cross-section. A-12 Preservation. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum has one of the most varied aircraft collections on the East Coast. One of the most captivating aircraft in the Museum's collection is the Lockheed A-12. The A-12 reconnaissance aircraft was the product of Project Oxcart, a top-secret Cold War CIA program to develop a supersonic, high.

FileA12flying.jpg Wikimedia Commons

The A-12 would be a large aircraft, with wingspan limited by the requirement to fit two A-12s on adjacent catapults on a carrier flight deck. In addition, two A-12s with folded wings had to be accommodated on a deck-edge elevator. Give. Become a member Wall of Honor Ways to give Host an Event. Home / Multimedia Gallery / A-12 Aircraft. Early A-12s were tested with Pratt & Whitney J75 engines in 1961, but were retrofitted with J58 engines optimized to meet the speed rating of Mach 3.2 once they became available in 1963. Fri 12 Jan 2024 18.41 EST Last modified on Fri 12 Jan 2024 18.43 EST. Nasa has unveiled a one-of-a-kind quiet supersonic aircraft as part of the US space agency's mission to make commercial. Editor's Note: This advisory was revised Thursday, Jan. 11, to include a new contact for reporters wishing to participate in the media teleconference on Friday, Jan. 12, and to add the time of the teleconference. NASA will provide live coverage as it reveals its X-59 aircraft at 4 p.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 12, as part of the agency's Quesst mission to make commercial supersonic flight possible.

Lockheed A12 USA Air Force Aviation Photo 0355001

Headquarters A-12 Oxcart About the A-12 Oxcart CIA developed the highly secret A-12 OXCART as the U-2's successor, intended to meet the nation's need for a very fast, very high-flying reconnaissance aircraft that could avoid Soviet air defenses. CIA awarded the OXCART contract to Lockheed (builder of the U-2) in 1959. NASA and Lockheed Martin have , a "quiet supersonic" aircraft that may shape the future of both military and civilian air travel. The X-59 has been under development at Lockheed Martin Skunk. The McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics A-12 Avenger II was a proposed American attack aircraft from McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics. It was to be an all-weather, carrier-based stealth bomber replacement for the Grumman A-6 Intruder in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The A-12 is a high-speed, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft created by the Lockheed Skunk Works division for the CIA under the Oxcart program in the earl.

Lockheed A12 USA Air Force Aviation Photo 0821323

A new aircraft for a new approach to air warfare. Intended to serve aboard carriers, the A-12 Avenger II was to be slightly more than 37 feet long, with a wingspan of a few inches more than 70 feet. These dimensions would have made the A-12 significantly shorter than the nearly 55-foot-long Intruder, while boasting a far wider wingspan that. The Lockheed A-12 spy plane was developed for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for service during Project Oxcart. While it had the potential for a long career, its niche but vital service led to its early retirement just 10 months after being deployed to Asia.