Last updated on: 19 November 2006
Posted on: 21 March 1997

SR-71 Payloads

Internal Payloads:......Internal payloads are carried in detachable nose and equipment bays in forebody of airplane.

External Payloads:......The SR-71 is not presently configured for external payloads; however, the aircraft can be modified for that purpose. Some SR-71 type aircraft have been configured to carry external payloads.

• Modified A-12 (M-12, mother ship): configured to carry D-21 drone (42 ft long, 19 ft span, 11,200 pounds), mounted on pylon on upper aftbody of airplane.

• YF-12A (a NASA configuration): carried a 9 foot, 18 inch diameter cylinder beneath mid section of airplane for experimental purposes.

Source: SR-71 Reconnaissance System, Executive Handbook

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