The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine,
high-altitude reconnaissance airplane flown by the United
States Air Force. It provides continuous day and night,
high-altitude (70,000 ft plus), all-weather surveillance
of an area in direct support of U.S. and allied ground
and air forces. It provides critical intelligence to
decision makers through all phases of conflict, including
peacetime indications and warnings, crises, operations
other than war and major theater war. A derivative of the
U2 known as the ER-2 is used by the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration for high attitude civilian
research including Earth resources, celestial
observations, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, and
oceanic processes. The aircraft also are used for
electronic sensor research and development, satellite
calibration, and satellite data validation.
The U-2 has no official name, but is commonly known,
unofficially, as the "Dragon Lady."
High aspect ratio wings give the U-2 glider-like
characteristics and make the aircraft extremely
challenging to fly, not only due to its unusual landing
characteristics, but also because at the extreme
altitudes it can reach, the maximum speed (critical mach)
and the minimum speed (stall speed) are approaching the
same number. Because of its high-altitude mission, the
pilot must wear a full pressure suit. The aircraft
carries a variety of sensors, is extremely reliable and
has a high mission success rate.
The U-2 is capable of simultaneously collecting signals
and imagery intelligence. Imagery intelligence sensors
include either wet film photo, electro-optic or radar
imagery. It can use both line-of-sight and
beyond-line-of-sight data links.
The aircraft completed an upgrade to the General Electric
F-118-101 engine in 1998, to provide better fuel economy,
reduced weight and increased power. Other upgrades to the
sensors and the addition of the Global Positioning System
increased collection capability and provides superimposed
geo-coordinates directly on collected images.
The U-2 project was initiated in the early 1950s by the
CIA which desperately wanted accurate information on the
Soviet Union. It was thought a high altitude aircraft
such as the U-2 would be hard to detect and impossible to
shoot down. Lockheed Martin was given the assignment with
an unlimited budget and a short time frame. Its
Skunkworks performed remarkably, the first flight
occurred in August 1955. New cameras were also developed,
and they too worked well. It made its first over-flight
of the Soviet Union in June 1956. The aircraft came to
public attention when pilot Gary Powers was shot down
over Soviet territory on May 1 1960. On October 14, 1962,
it was the U-2 that photographed the Soviet military
installing offensive missiles in Cuba, precipitating the
Cuban missile crisis. It provided critical intelligence
data during all phases of Operations Desert Storm and
Allied Force. It provides daily peacetime indications and
warning intelligence collection from its current
operating locations around the world. However, most
imagery intelligence used by the US military now comes
from spy satellites.
When requested from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the U-2 also has provided photography supporting
their disaster relief efforts.
The U-2R, first flown in 1967, is significantly larger
and more capable than the original aircraft. A tactical
reconnaissance version, the TR-1A, first flew in August
1981. Designed for standoff tactical reconnaissance in
Europe, the TR-1A was structurally identical to the U-2R.
The 17th Reconnaissance Wing, Royal Air Force Station
Alconbury, England used operational TR-1As from 1983
until 1991. The last U-2 and TR-1 aircraft were delivered
to the Air Force in October 1989. In 1992 all TR-1s and
U-2s were designated U-2Rs. After re-engining with the
F-118-101 engine, they were designated U-2S.
U-2s are based at the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air
Force Base, Calif., and support national and tactical
collection requirements from three operational
detachments located around the world. U-2 pilots are
trained at Beale initially using the U-2ST, the two-seat
trainer version of the aircraft. The two civilian ER-2's
are based at the Dryden Flight Research Center.
General Characteristics
- Primary Function: high-altitude reconnaissance
- Contractor: Lockheed Aircraft Corp.
- Power Plant: One Pratt and Whitney J75-P-13B engine; one General Electric F-118-101 engine
- Thrust: 17,000 pounds (7,650 kilograms)
- Length: 63 feet (19.2 meters)
- Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)
- Wingspan: 103 feet (30.9 meters)
- Speed: 475+ miles per hour (Mach 0.58)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 40,000 pounds (18,000 kilograms)
- Range: Beyond 6,000 miles
- Ceiling: Above 70,000 feet (21,212 meters)
- Crew: One (two in trainer models)
- Date Deployed: U-2, August 1955; U-2R, 1967; U-2S, October 1994
- Inventory: Active force, 35 (4 two-seat trainers); Reserve, 0; ANG, 0
See also: SR-71 Blackbird