The 12-A is an individual airframe, known specifically as Article 128, belonging to the Lockheed A-12 Oxcart fleet. This foundational reconnaissance aircraft was developed by Lockheed’s legendary Skunk Works division under designer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson for the CIA during the Cold War. The A-12 program began in the late 1950s, driven by the need for a high-speed, high-altitude replacement for the U-2. Article 128 completed its maiden flight on October 3, 1963, and was the first of the operational models certified to fly at Mach 3. It remained active until its retirement in May 1968.
Lockheed Martin traces its manufacturing history through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta in 1995. However, Lockheed’s aerospace heritage, responsible for the A-12, began much earlier, pioneering innovative designs that pushed the boundaries of speed and stealth.
Access solutions are indispensable for the detailed maintenance of this advanced airframe. Specialized platforms and stands, such as Reach Deck Platforms and Modular Stepover Platforms, are necessary for accessing high areas like the tail section (vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder) and the forward fuselage (windshield and cockpit). Components like the main landing gear, nose landing gear, and engine parts (including the turbine and compressor within the wing and engine pylon area) demand close-range work, which Super Service Stands and Cantilever Platforms effectively support. These tools ensure that comprehensive maintenance, from the radome to the rear inboard/outboard sections, can be conducted thoroughly.
