Comments on: U-2 Pilot Dies in Southwest Asia Crash

By: Richard Wheide

Richard Wheide — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 14:51:25 +0000

The U-2 "S" model being flown today bears little resemblance to the aircraft flown in the Gary Powers and Cuban Missle crisis days. Upgraded engine, navigation, and recon systems and the ability to loiter for long periods in areas of interest make the U-2 a viable national reconnaissance asset for many years to come. It's interesting to note that if the U-2 had been designed today the Air Force wouldn't buy it due to it's difficult low speed handling. My deepest condolences and gratitude goes out to the family of the pilot and thanks to Kelly Johnson (U-2 Designer) -Been There

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 09:21:39 +0000

The B-52s were flying before the U-2s, and they're still in the active inventory.

By: Freedebate

Freedebate — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 18:15:55 +0000

The "new" U-2 is quite a different aircraft than the original.

It's 40 percent larger, has modern avionics, improved data-links, better fiber-optic electronics, and new General Electric F-118-101 engine, with all-glass cockpit slated for installation on the entire fleet." Today's U-2 also has improved electro-optical, infrared and radar sensors, Chang said.

By: SFC SKI

SFC SKI — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 18:01:47 +0000

Air frames can last a long time, and avionics are constantly upgraded.
I just wish I could pick up (and maintain and fuel) an F-4 Phantom as easily as I could a car from that era.

By: Russell Newquist

Russell Newquist — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 16:24:24 +0000

The interesting thing, though, is that as old as some of this equipment is, it's still pretty amazing stuff. There's really only one aircraft (publicly acknowledged, at least) that ever really surpassed the U-2 for spying purposes (the SR-71 Blackbird), and the thing (for all its engineering marvel) was a hideously expensive thing to run, and really only needed against the Soviets.

The fact that the U2 still flies outside the range of most SAMs decades after it's design is nothing short of amazing.

By: Gary and the Samoyeds

Gary and the Samoyeds — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 15:33:55 +0000

I wonder if it was really a TR-1. That was an updated version of the U-2 built in the late 70s. In that case, it would be only 30 years old.

By: Kent

Kent — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 15:25:24 +0000

Whenever I get feeling old, I remind myself that a very good chunk of our military inventory is older than I am.

It doesn't make me feel any better about my age, but it does get me wringing my hands over something else.

By: Dean's World

Dean's World — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 15:25:16 +0000

U-2 Spyplane Shot Down

James Joyner notes that a U2 Spyplane recently crashed while returning home from a misson over Afghanistan.

There are several questions at once that attend suc...