i got a chance to see the a-12 with the drone on it in the air and space museum in seattle once. it was pretty neat.

The only place these drones were used on a regular basis was North China, if my sources are correct. They never tried this one out on the USSR.

From what I am told, they were used a handfull of times to scout the Lop Nur nuclear test site, with mixed results. Apparently the launches and flights were flawless, but the recovery operations were a nightmare, with only 1-2 recce pallets being recovered intact.

I am also told that the Chinese apparently never saw them inbound or outbound, as ELINT data showed no apprecialbe increase in emitter activity.

At least one drone never re-emerged from the Chinese border.

They were also used once or twice against North Vietnam, but it was determined that other sensors could do the same job with less risk and cost.

At least one drone never re-emerged from the Chinese border.

a lot more than one actually, but not because they were shot down, a lot of them tore them selves apart executing turns, the guidence system which was really primative, would overstress the airframe, buckle the convergent nozzle for the ramjet, allowing fuel to build up and eventually explode. add in the difculties of retriveing the film, and its no surprize it was withdrawn form service after 2 years

The chinese probaly never the drone on their radar. Look at it, it looks like it has the radar signature of a fly.

Wouldn't that thing work as a nuclear-tipped cruise missile?

I dont think they would use it as a cruise missile, it is too big and it looks like there is not enough room for much on the drone.
[Edited on 14-7-2003 by jetsetter]

[Edited on 14-7-2003 by jetsetter]

That drone looks spectacular!
Brilliant!