|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
 -
|
|
|
Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady Tactical Reconnaissance |
|
DESCRIPTION:
The U-2 spyplane was originally developed by the 'Skunkworks' division of Lockheed while working under strict secrecy. The revolutionary new plane was envisioned as a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft for the Central Intelligence Agency and the US Air Force. The 'U' designation, normally used for an innocuous utility aircraft, was used as part of a campaign to keep the aircraft a mystery from prying eyes. In order to further hide the U-2's true purpose, the first operational squadron was officially called a "Weather Reconnaissance" unit operated by NASA. The first two squadrons were based in Japan and Germany or England from which the aircraft flew numerous missions over the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, and the Middle East. The U-2 also proved vital in 1962 when its pilots discovered the placement of nuclear missile bases in Cuba leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was not until 1 May 1960 that the world learned the truth about the U-2 after one flown by Francis Gary Powers was shot down deep within the Soviet Union. Though Powers was later returned to the US in exchange for a Soviet spy, the U-2 never entered Soviet airspace again. Attrition was high since the aircraft was so difficult to fly and other examples were shot down over China and Cuba. In light of these losses, a new model, the U-2R, entered production in 1968. The most recent version is the U-2S. Originally designated as the TR-1, the U-2S is an updated U-2R carrying an advanced Synthetic-Aperture Radar capable of scanning 35 miles within enemy territory while the aircraft remains in international airspace. The TR-1, U-2R, and U-2S can be differentiated from older U-2 variants by the large avionics pod mounted beneath each wing. The U-2S remains in service today and has seen extensive use over Iraq and Afghanistan.
Data below for U-2C, U-2R, and U-2S where indicated |
|
| HISTORY: | |
| First Flight |
(U-2A) 1 August 1955 (TR-1A/U-2S) August 1981 |
|
Service Entry
|
(U-2A) June 1957 (U-2S) October 1994 |
| CREW: |
1 pilot
|
|
ESTIMATED COST:
|
unknown
|
| AIRFOIL SECTIONS: | |
| Wing Root | NACA 64A409 |
|
Wing Tip
|
NACA 64A406
|
| DIMENSIONS: | |
| Length |
(U-2C) 49.95 ft (15.24 m) (U-2S) 63.00 ft (19.2 m) |
| Wingspan |
(U-2C) 80.00 ft (24.38 m) (U-2S) 103.00 ft (31.39 m) |
| Height | 14.98 ft (4.57 m) |
| Wing Area |
(U-2C) 565 ft2 (52.49 m2) (U-2S) 1,000 ft2 (92.9 m2) |
|
Canard Area
|
not applicable
|
| WEIGHTS: | |
| Empty |
(U-2C) 11,700 lb (5,305 kg) (U-2R) 19,000 lb (8,620 kg) (U-2S) 17,800 lb (8,075 kg) |
| Normal Takeoff | unknown |
| Max Takeoff |
(U-2C) 17,270 lb (7,833 kg) (U-2S) 40,000 lb (18,144 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity |
internal: unknown external: unknown |
|
Max Payload
|
unknown
|
| PROPULSION: | |
| Powerplant |
(U-2C) one Pratt & Whitney J75-13 turbojet (U-2R/TR-1A) one Pratt & Whitney J75-13B turbojet (U-2S) one General Electric F-118-101 turbofan |
| Thrust |
(U-2R) 17,000 lb (75.6 kN) (U-2S) 19,000 lb (84.5 kN) |
| PERFORMANCE: | |
| Max Level Speed |
at altitude: 530 mph (850 km/h) [U-2C] 495 mph (795 km/h) [U-2S] at sea level: unknown cruise speed: 375 mph (690 km/h) [U-2R] |
| Initial Climb Rate | unknown |
| Service Ceiling |
(U-2C) 85,000 ft (25,930 m) (U-2S) 90,000 ft (27,430 m) |
| Range |
(U-2C/R) 2,610 nm (4,830 km) (U-2S) 3,800 nm (7,050 km) |
| Endurance |
(U-2R) 12 hr (U-2S) 15 hr |
| g-Limits |
+2.5
|
| ARMAMENT: | |
| Gun | none |
| Stations |
(U-2C) one internal bay (U-2S) one internal bay and two underwing pods |
| Air-to-Air Missile | none |
| Air-to-Surface Missile | none |
| Bomb | none |
| Other |
cameras, IR sensors, other recon sensors
|
| KNOWN VARIANTS: | |
| U-2A | First production one-seat reconnaissance model; 48 built |
| U-2B | Two-seat trainer; 5 built |
| U-2C | Improved one-seat reconnaissance model with a new engine and modified engine inlets |
| U-2D | Two-seat trainer |
| U-2CT | Two-seat trainer rebuilt from U-2D airframes but with the training pilot seated at a higher level; at least 6 converted |
| U-2G | U-2A models modified with stronger landing gear, an arresting hook, and wing spoilers in order to operate from US Navy aircraft carriers; 3 converted but rarely used |
| U-2R | Enlarged and improved U-2C with underwing pods and increased fuel capacity; 12 built |
| U-2RT | Two-seat trainer based on U-2R; 1 built |
| U-2EPX | Proposed maritime surveillance model for the US Navy based on the U-2R; 2 built but not put into service |
| WU-2 | Research aircraft used by the US Air Force for atmospheric research |
| TR-1A | Improved U-2R with side-scanning radar, new avionics, and improved ECM equipment; 33 built |
| TR-1B | Two-seat trainer for the TR-1A; 2 built |
| ER-2 | One-seat "earth resource" research aircraft built for NASA |
| U-2S | New designation for the TR-1A; also updated with a more efficient engine, improved sensors, and the addition of a GPS system; 31 converted |
| U-2ST |
Redesignated U-2R/TR-1B two-seat trainer with updated engine; 4 converted
|
|
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:
|
overflights of Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and others Vietnam War (USAF, 1965-1972) Iraq - Operation Desert Storm (USAF, 1991) Iraq - Operation Northern Watch (USAF, 1991-2003) Iraq - Operation Southern Watch (USAF, 1991-2003) Bosnia - Operation Deliberate Force (USAF, 1995) Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom (USAF, 2001-present) Iraq - Operation Iraqi Freedom (USAF, 2003-present) |
|
KNOWN OPERATORS:
|
United States (Central Intelligence Agency) United States (US Air Force) United States (NASA) |
|
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
|
|
SOURCES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aircraft | Design | Ask Us | Shop | Search |
|
|
| About Us | Contact Us | Copyright © 1997-2008 | |||
|
|
|||
