A bipartisan quartet of Senators has written to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin criticizing the Air Force’s plan to retire airborne ISR platforms including the U-2. They fear that the service cannot replace their capabilities with satellites fast enough to avoid unacceptable risk. Recent disclosures about the Air Force’s mostly-classified plans for ISR from space … Continue reading UNHAPPY SENATORS DESCRIBE AIRBORNE ISR CONCERNS
DOD SAYS U-2 RETIREMENT WILL SAVE $600 MILLION PER YEAR
The DOD has told Congress that retirement of the U-2 fleet will save $600 million annually. Meanwhile, actions to retire the Dragon Lady fleet have already begun, although NASA wants to keep its two ER-2 research aircraft in service. The Pentagon recently sent a written waiver to Congress justifying the divestment, as required by legislation … Continue reading DOD SAYS U-2 RETIREMENT WILL SAVE $600 MILLION PER YEAR
DESPITE AN ‘ELEPHANT WALK’, THE U-2 WILL BE RETIRED
Was last Thursday’s ‘Elephant Walk’ at Beale a publicity stunt to help keep the Dragon Lady flying? If so, it was too late. I have learned that the die is now cast, and U-2 phaseout actions have already begun. The Secretaries of the Air Force and Defense signed the certification that was required of them … Continue reading DESPITE AN ‘ELEPHANT WALK’, THE U-2 WILL BE RETIRED
AN UPDATE TO DRAGON LADY TODAY
Does Sunset Makes Sense? That’s the title of a new final chapter that I have written for my book DRAGON LADY TODAY. I have republished it as a second edition, and you can buy it from Amazon’s US site here, and their British site here. You can also find it on Amazon’s foreign-language websites, but … Continue reading AN UPDATE TO DRAGON LADY TODAY
ONLY TWO MORE YEARS FOR THE DRAGON LADY?
In its Fiscal Year 2024 budget request earlier this year, the US Air Force indicated a U-2 retirement date in FY 2026. However, HQ USAF said last week that the plan is to end operations in the very first month of FY2026, eg October 2025. In a written response to my questions about the planned … Continue reading ONLY TWO MORE YEARS FOR THE DRAGON LADY?
SUNSET IN 2026 FOR THE U-2?
A U-2ST trainer lands at Beale AFB, the home of the U-2 fleet (USAF) The US Air Force leadership is now set on retiring the Dragon Lady in Fiscal Year 2026. Oh, we’ve heard this all before, say the U-2 ‘brotherhood’. I don’t share their complacency. Let’s examine the issues in detail. Here’s what … Continue reading SUNSET IN 2026 FOR THE U-2?
THE U-2 AND BALLOONS – SOME HISTORY, AND SOME THOUGHTS
A U-2 pilot looks down on the Chinese balloon. The shadow of his aircraft can be seen on the balloon's fabric. Intercepting stratospheric balloons is a new mission for the U-2, that proves again just how versatile the Dragon Lady can be – and how essential it is to retain a manned high-altitude reconnaissance capability. … Continue reading THE U-2 AND BALLOONS – SOME HISTORY, AND SOME THOUGHTS
HAIL DRAGONS! U-2 REUNION ATTRACTS A LARGE CROWD
Some 450 people sat down for dinner at the “ReU2nion” that took place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near Beale AFB on 6th-9th October. They included myself. It was organized by the Dragon Lady Association (DLA), led by the redoubtable Lt Col (retd) Jon Huggins. Prior events included a visit to Beale AFB … Continue reading HAIL DRAGONS! U-2 REUNION ATTRACTS A LARGE CROWD
329 – MY FAVOURITE U-2
It was the first enlarged and upgraded U-2, back in 1967. And 68-10329 is still is service, with nearly 31,500 flying hours.
LATEST USAF BUDGET – NO END IN SIGHT FOR THE U-2
A reference to the “divestiture” of the U-2 in Fiscal Year 2026, that was contained in last year’s budget request, is missing from the Fiscal Year 2023 request that has just been published. The request envisages continued spending on Dragon Lady upgrades and supportability through Fiscal Year 2027. The Pentagon’s fiscal year begins in the … Continue reading LATEST USAF BUDGET – NO END IN SIGHT FOR THE U-2
Dragon Lady Today 