The U-2 was used as a high altitude photographic recon aircraft. The U-2 was later fitted with more sophisticated electronic and infrared sensors which increased the amount of information the aircraft could obtain about the enemy's activities. The U-2 would fly above the enemy territory at a high altitude of about 80,000 feet and use either normal cameras or infrared sensors to record information.
The U-2 made its first flight on August 1, 1955 during what was supposed to be a taxi test instead the aircraft left the ground at 70 miles per hour. One of the first U-2s was lost when pilot Francis Powers was shot down of the Soviet Union
U-2s were also used extensively during the Cuban missile crisis. The U-2 reconnaissance missions successfully photographed the important military installations including the installation of Soviet ICBMs. On one of these missions another U-2 was shot down over Cuba.
A new version of the U-2 the U-2R made its first flight on August 28, 1967. The U-2R used an improved airframe to be able to survive the stress caused by the use of the new J57-P-13B engines that exert 17,000 pounds of static thrust each. The U-2R also has its wingspan increased by 23 feet more than the original U-2s. The U-2R also has over two times higher fuel capacity then the U-2.
Some added advantages were the more streamlined airframe design which enabled greater speeds as well as the ability to fold the long wings to fit in smaller spaces that the U-2s could not. The aircraft also had enough space in the cockpit so Dave Clark pressure suits could be worn by the pilots. These new pressure suits were more safe and comfortable than older suits. Finally the U-2R's front nose piece could be removed so that sensors could be changed quickly and easily.
During the 1960's and 70's the U-2R's were used over Communist China while operating from their base in Taiwan. The U-2Rs also flew over North Vietnam from their base in Bien Hoa.
A carrier version of the U-2R was introduced in November of 1969 when it took off and landed on the U.S.S. America aircraft carrier.
The U-2R was updated to a U-2S in 1989, and included the F118-GE-101 turbofan engine. It has also undergone several upgrades, including a complete rewire with a glass cockpit with digital displays.
Lockheed successfully gained the production award for the TR-1 on November 16,1979. The TR-1s are very similar to the U-2R the only major differences is the ability to attach large pods to the TR-1 therefor increasing the amount of reconnaissance equipment the aircraft can hold. Also the TR-1 is equipped with the Hughes Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar giving it the ability to search within a 50 mile radius for enemy movements.
| Primary function | To gather information about an enemy's movements through photographs or infrared sensors. | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Lockheed | |
| Length U-2R | 49.5 feet 63 feet | |
| Wing span U-2R | 80 feet 103 feet | |
| Empty weight U-2R | 11,700 pounds 14,900 | |
| Max speed U-2R | 528 mph 510 | |
| Max ceiling altitude U-2R | 85,000 feet 70,000 feet | |
| Range U-2R | 3,000 miles 3,500 miles | |
| Air time with internal fuel U-2R | 6.5 hours 7.5 hours | |
| Engines U-2R | one J57-P-13 engines exerting 11,200 pounds of thrust each one J57-P-13B exerting 17,000 pounds of thrust each |
Choose a different reconnaissance aircraft.