The first U-2 to be retired is now in the ‘boneyard’ at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. Three more are set to follow over the next few months, with four more likely to join them by the fall. But in the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill that was passed last week, Congress has insisted that the … Continue reading CONGRESS LIMITS DIVESTMENT, BUT FIRST U-2 IS SENT TO THE ‘BONEYARD’
U-2 Dragon Lady
70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE SKUNK WORKS
The 70th Anniversary of the U-2 Dragon Lady was celebrated at the Skunk Works, in the hangar where the iconic spyplanes are overhauled
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
Dragon Lady Today 