The US Congress has prevented the USAF from taking further actions to retire the U-2 this year, but this will likely be only a temporary reprieve.
ASARS
CAN THE U-2 BE REPLACED BY SATELLITES?
The official position of the US Air Force is that the U-2 can be replaced by satellites. I have discussed this briefly in previous posts, such as this one, which includes a great SAR satellite image of RAF Fairford – a U-2 base – taken by Capella Space during last year’s Royal International Air Tattoo … Continue reading CAN THE U-2 BE REPLACED BY SATELLITES?
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?
CLOUDS, CODES AND AI ON “THE PERFECT PLATFORM”
“The U-2 is the perfect platform to drive cutting-edge military technology” said the 9th Wing commander Col Heather Fox. She was referring to recent pioneering U-2 flights that have explored how cloud computing can install innovative software into aircraft that are already airborne, enabling sensors and navigation systems to react quickly to fast-changing threats. The … Continue reading CLOUDS, CODES AND AI ON “THE PERFECT PLATFORM”
Dragon Lady Today 