Some ideas to keep a reduced number of U-2s in service are circulating amongst the U-2 chain of command, and others involved in the management of the USAF’s airborne ISR activities. Meanwhile, there have been more oblique references by USAF leaders to the classified high-altitude UAV that is a partial replacement for the U-2.

In one of the ideas, a downsized operation would be based at Beale, but jets could quickly be sent to the three former overseas locations or elsewhere, when a contingency arises. Support equipment including the Dragon Lady’s unique fuel would be stored at these locations.

The eight U-2s for which the Skunk Works has a contract to fit new avionics and sensors would be upgraded. One or two U-2ST trainers would also be retained. An overhaul facility would be established at Beale, similar to the one that completed Planned Depot Maintenance (PDM) on 80-1078 last year. The depot at Palmdale run by the Skunk Works completed its last overhaul of a U-2 last month, and most of the workforce has been made redundant.

NASA is planning to keep its two ER-2 aircraft that perform airborne science missions, so synergies would be explored. Contractors might take over some additional support activities at Beale, such as physiological support.

Under this plan, the U-2 would still be available as a testbed for new sensors and communications systems that are destined for other aircraft or satellites. The Skunk Works chief John Clark is thought to have lobbied for this capability to be preserved.

An informed source with knowledge of the discussions about downsizing told me that there “are too many variables and hidden stake holders” to predict the outcome.

It seems that for any such scheme to become reality, there would have to be Congressional direction. Unfortunately, that has become less likely since the Senate has not followed the House in its markup of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA),  in adding a provision that prevents the USAF from retiring the U-2. The matter will have to be resolved in the conference between the House and the Senate, that will precede the passing of the definitive NDAA. That could months away, and meanwhile the USAF is continuing with retirement actions.

Last week, the first U-2 for a museum (80-1069) was flown to Edwards AFB for the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) museum. First though, some parts will be removed by NASA for the two ER-2s.

Meanwhile, progress in introducing the classified UAV that is part of the replacement for the Dragon Lady, became more evident during the 9^th RW change of command ceremony at Beale AFB last month.

At the event, the commander of 16^th Air Force Lt Gen Kevin Kennedy said that the outgoing 9^th Wing commander Col Geoffrey Church “had been laser-focused on growing the CMCC and making Beale the hub of operations for the future.” The Common Mission Control Center apparently controls the operation of the Northrop Grumman Penetrating ISR (P-ISR) high-altitude UAV, whose actual designation is unknown. (It is not designated “RQ-180”).

The CMCC is already in place at Beale, but Kennedy referred to “multiple new construction projects at Beale (including) upgrades to support accelerated CMCC operations.” One of these projects is on the flight line.

An award citation for Col Church noted that he “ushered a $141 million infrastructure project posturing the CMCC for a 500 percent expansion to three combatant commands.” It is probably no coincidence that in a short conversation with me at the recent Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the UK, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall hinted that the classification level of the P-ISR might be reduced. It is currently still a Special Access Program (SAP).