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?
U-2 retirement
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?
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 