Overview
The U-2 was built in secret by Lockheed's Skunk Works in the 1950s to photograph the Soviet Union from above 21,000 m, higher than fighters could reach. In 1960 Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the USSR, causing a major Cold War crisis.
The current U-2S (figures shown) still flies reconnaissance missions. Pilots wear pressure suits like astronauts, and a chase car races behind on landing to guide the pilot down.
Specifications
Dimensions
| Length | 19.20 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 31.40 m |
| Height | 4.88 m |
| Wing area | 92.9 m² |
Weights & fuel
| Empty weight | 6,800 kg |
|---|---|
| Max. take-off weight | 18,100 kg |
Performance
| Max. speed | 805 km/h |
|---|---|
| Cruise speed | 690 km/h |
| Range | 10,300 km |
| Service ceiling | 21,300 m |
Crew & capacity
| Crew | 1 |
|---|
Powerplant
| Engines | 1 |
|---|---|
| Engine model | General Electric F118-GE-101 |
| Thrust (each) | 84.5 kN |
Figures are compiled from public sources and may be approximate; they can vary by variant and configuration.
Did you know?
At its operating altitude, the sky above the pilot looks almost black and the curve of the Earth is visible.
Photos
Photo 1: Christopher Michel / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
Some text and images come from Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA licences.
