Lockheed D-21



The Lockheed D-21 was an American Mach 3+ reconnaissance drone. The D-21 was initially designed to be launched from the back of its M-21 carrier aircraft, a variant of the Lockheed A-12 aircraft.

An M-21 aircraft was used to transport a D-21 drone into Tselinoyarsk, during Operation Snake Eater in August 1964. The drone was used to insert Naked Snake into the area, due to heightened security. It was rigged to self-destruct when the enemy was near, although it was also deliberately given American symbols to ensure that the Russians at least know that an American is involved in Operation Snake Eater as part of the negotiations with Khrushchev. After landing and finding out about its origins, Naked Snake also suggested that future designs of the D-21 pilot model fix certain errors, as potential pilots could get killed using the drone in its current state.