* In the mid-1950s, the Lockheed company developed the high-flying U-2 spyplane for the Central Intelligence Agency, providing the US with a formidable reconnaissance capability. The U-2 was hardly the last word in the technology, however, with Lockheed moving on to develop the Mach 3 "A-12" for the CIA, and the follow-on "SR-71" for the US Air Force. The A-12 had a limited career, but the SR-71 served faithfully for decades. This document provides a history and description of the A-12, the SR-71, and the "YF-12A" experimental interceptor derivative of the A-12.
