Lockheed Martin U-2 Dragon Lady

The U-2 spyplane was a pivotal player during the peak years of the Cold War between the United States of America and the Soviet Union, charged with photographing key installations for the safety of the American homeland and interests abroad. The U-2 system was largely responsible for the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles on the Cuban mainland during the Cuban Missile Crisis and is well known for the downing of one particular system and pilot Gary Powers over the Soviet Union in April of 1960. The wide and sleek design of the U-2 provides the US military with a high-level reconnaissance performer that is proven to produce targeted results in all-weather situations. Additionally, the system has been used to track hurricanes, forest fires and other global disasters for the sake of research and tactical responses.

The U-2 was designed to the highest degree of secrecy by famed Lockheed Aviator Kelly Johnson and his "Skunkworks" bureau. The initial system was airborne by 1955 with reconnaissance flights high above the Soviet Union beginning shortly thereafter. Now in the form of the U-2S model, the U-2 system can produce a large amount of photographic data with its highly capable intelligence-gathering suite in real-time. The aircraft traditionally flies above its 70,000 foot listed ceiling requiring the pilot to don a spacesuit-like outfit. The design is centered around the wide glider-like wingspan that is attached to the pencil-like fuselage. The cockpit offered up a less-than stellar field of vision, requiring the system to be guided to a landing by another airborne pilot trained in U-2 capabilities.

Since its inception, the U-2 has constantly been upgraded to improve performance and mission times. The system now sports a more friendly powerplant provided by General Electric that is efficient and lighter than previous systems. Avionics and other systems have been modernized to extend the life of the aircraft as well coming with the "Block 10" electrical systems upgrade. Additionally, the "Block 20" upgrade provided the U-2 system with a more modernized cockpit. More modifications are planned.

From 1992 onwards, all TR-1 and U-2 systems were designated under the single umbrella of "U-2". The United States Air Force maintains a contingent of 36 active U-2 systems including five two seat trainer types. Additionally, NASA operates two more U-2 units in the form of ER-2 for high-level research purposes. The U-2 system will most likely be retained for some more years (marked in some sources up to the year 2020) of service even though the initial U-2 was fielded in the 1950's.

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Last Revision: 9/8/2009