The 70th Anniversary of the U-2 Dragon Lady was celebrated at the Skunk Works, in the hangar where the iconic spyplanes are overhauled
U-2 Dragon Lady
HAPPY U-2 BIRTHDAY – A RECORD FLIGHT, AND AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR OF OPERATIONS!
The 70th anniversary of the U-2 Dragon Lady was celebrated in fine style at Beale AFB last Friday, with a record-length flight that flew over all 48 lower states in the US. Party-goers gathered at Beale to celebrate the birthday also learned informally, that the USAF leadership has bowed to pressure from Congress and the … Continue reading HAPPY U-2 BIRTHDAY – A RECORD FLIGHT, AND AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR OF OPERATIONS!
STAY OF EXECUTION FOR THE U-2 DRAGON LADY?
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.
THE U-2 COULD HELP TO KEEP THE PEACE IN UKRAINE
It may be facing retirement, but the U-2 Dragon Lady could still play a vital role watching over Ukraine, if a ceasefire can be agreed. The veteran high-flying spyplane is equipped with sensors and datalinks that could provide near real-time imagery to European peacekeepers. The UK, France and some other European NATO countries have said … Continue reading THE U-2 COULD HELP TO KEEP THE PEACE IN UKRAINE
KEEP THE U-2 BY DOWNSIZING THE OPERATION?
The U-2 is facing retirement but could a reduced operation be retained?
RED DRAGONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT FAIRFORD
Showgoers at the recent Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) were treated to the rare sight of a full U-2 flying display. A week later, the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron (99th ERS) held a change of command ceremony. In front of nearly 50,000 spectators on Friday 19th July, 80-1096 took off, climbed in the usual spectacular … Continue reading RED DRAGONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT FAIRFORD
9TH WING PUBLICITY DRIVE AS U-2 RETIREMENT LOOMS
Beale has taken actions to boost the U-2, even as retirement looms
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?
UNHAPPY SENATORS DESCRIBE AIRBORNE ISR CONCERNS
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
Dragon Lady Today 