How Do You Spell LOCKHEED D-21?

Pronunciation: [lˈɒkhiːd dˈiː twˈɛntiwˈɒn] (IPA)

The Lockheed D-21 was a reconnaissance drone developed in the 1960s for the US Air Force. The spelling of "Lockheed" is pronounced as /ˈlɑkˌhid/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "lock" is pronounced with a long "o" sound as in "ocean" and the second syllable "heed" is pronounced with a short "e" sound as in "bed". The letter "D" is pronounced as /di/ like "dee", and "21" is pronounced as /twɛn.ti wʌn/. Overall, the pronunciation of "Lockheed D-21" is /ˈlɑkˌhid di twɛn.ti wʌn/.

LOCKHEED D-21 Meaning and Definition

  1. The Lockheed D-21 was an American reconnaissance drone developed by the Lockheed Corporation in the 1960s. The D-21 was specifically designed for high-altitude and high-speed reconnaissance missions. It was an unmanned aircraft primarily intended for intelligence collection during the Cold War.

    This drone was capable of Mach 3 speeds (around 2,300 miles per hour) and operated at altitudes of up to 95,000 feet. It had a length of 43 feet and a wingspan of 19 feet, 9 inches. The D-21's sleek aerodynamic design made it an ideal platform for covert photographic and signals intelligence gathering.

    The D-21 was typically launched from the back of a Lockheed M-21, a two-seat variant of the A-12, a predecessor of the famous SR-71 Blackbird. Once released, the drone would follow a pre-programmed flight path, capturing vital images or data, and then return to friendly territory. However, during a few operational flights, the D-21 encountered technical difficulties and crashes, leading to its eventual cancellation in 1971.

    The Lockheed D-21 represented a pioneering effort in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles and set the stage for future developments in reconnaissance and surveillance technologies. Despite its short operational span, the D-21 holds a significant place in the history of military aerospace due to its revolutionary capabilities and the valuable data it provided during its missions.

Etymology of LOCKHEED D-21

The term "Lockheed D-21" is a combination of the manufacturer's name "Lockheed" and the designation "D-21".

The word "Lockheed" refers to the aerospace company Lockheed Corporation, which was established in 1926 by Allan and Malcolm Lockheed. The company has been involved in the design and production of various military and civilian aircraft throughout its history.

The term "D-21" is a specific model designation assigned by Lockheed to the unmanned drone it developed during the 1960s. The "D" stands for "Drone", indicating that it is an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the number "21" denotes its assigned sequence number within the drone series developed by Lockheed.

Therefore, the etymology of the term "Lockheed D-21" refers to the combination of the manufacturer's name and the specific model designation assigned to the drone.