Lockheed Martin U-2 Dragon Lady High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft (1955)
The U2 Spyplane-series is set to be replaced by the Global Hawk UAV.
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.
UPDATE: In August of 2011, it was announced that the Global Hawk UAV will formally replace the aged U-2 systems in USAF service beginning in 2015, bringing an end to the tenure of the decades-old, long-winged "Dragon Lady". There have been some complaints by political forces indicating that it is still more cost-effective to field the U-2 over the Global Hawk and the U-2 still represents greater inherent capabilities over that of the UAV. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Lockheed Martin U-2 Dragon Lady
High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Aeronatics - USA
Initial Year of Service: 1955
Production: 36
Focus Model: Lockheed Martin U-2S Dragon Lady
Crew: 1
Length: 62.99ft (19.2m)
Width: 104.99ft (32.00m)
Height: 15.75ft (4.80m)
Weight (Empty): 14,991lbs (6,800kg)
Weight (MTOW): 41,006lbs (18,600kg)
Powerplant: 1 x General Electric F118-101 engine delivering 17,000lbs of thrust.
Maximum Speed: 475mph (764kmh; 413kts)
Maximum Range: 7,000miles (11,265km)
Service Ceiling: 84,974ft (25,900m; 16.1miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 2
Armament Suite:
None.
Variants:
U-2A — First production model; Fitted with J57-P-37A powerplant.
U-2B — Various improvements; Fitted with J57-P-31 engine.
U-2C — Various improvements; Features J75-P-13 engine.
U-2CT — Two-seat trainer.
U-2D — Two-seat research variant
U-2EPX — Naval surveillance version (proposed).
U-2R "Dragon Lady" (TR-1) — Increased wingspan; elongated fuselage; features J75-P-13B engine.
U-2RT – Two Seat Model
U-2S — R-model fitted with General Electric F118-GE-101 engine.
U-2ST - Redesignated two-seat models
TU-2S - Trainer variant of U-2S
TR-1A - Tactical Reconnaissance Variant
TR-1B – Two-Seat Model; tactical reconnaissance variant
ER-2 - NASA-operated U-2 aircraft (2 examples)
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