Development of the U-2 began in the spring of 1954 to meet a joint CIA/USAF requirement for a high-altitude strategic reconnaissance and special-purpose research aircraft. It took place in the Lockheed 'Skunk Works' at Burbank, California, where - after acceptance of the design in late 1954 - two prototypes were hand-built in great secrecy by a small team of engineers. The aircraft's true purpose was cloaked under the USAF U-for-Utility designation U-2, and the first flight took place on or about 1 August 1955.
At about the same time US President Dwight D. Eisenhower was proposing his 'Open Skies' policy, one of mutual East/West aerial reconnaissance of territories. President Eisenhower hoped that his policy would reduce tension between East and West, thus preventing the growth of the nuclear arms race. Unfortunately the Soviet Union would have nothing to do with this proposal. Consequently 'Kelly' Johnson's new 'spy plane' assumed greater importance. The prototypes were followed by production of about 48 single-seat U-2A and U-2B with differing power plant, and five two-seat U-2D. Some U-2B were converted later to U-2D standard. An additional batch of 12 U-2R was ordered in 1967. A new version, known as the TR-1, is currently in production as a tactical-reconnaissance aircraft, equipped with a variety of electronic sensors.
The requirement for high altitude and long range posed enormous problems: the former needed an aircraft with low wing loading, the latter large quantities of heavy fuel to confer the necessary range. Therefore the U-2 is of very lightweight construction, dispensing with conventional landing gear and pressurisation to save extra weight, and having wings of large area. Landing gear is of bicycle type with single wheels fore and aft, and balanced on the ground by wing-tip 'pogos' - a strut and wheel device which drops away when the U-2 becomes airborne - was selected. The pilot is accommodated on a light-weight seat, dressed in a semi-pressure suit with his head enclosed in an astronaut-type helmet, and forced to breathe pure oxygen for his survival. A medium-powered turbojet is adequate to lift this lightweight aircraft, and long range is possible by shutting it down and gliding for long periods.
In addition to photo and electronic reconnaissance, U-2 were used for weather reconnaissance, high-altitude research, measurement of radiation levels, and for the tracking and recovery of space capsules. They were used for reconnaissance during the Cuban crisis, in Vietnam and during the Arab-Israeli conflict.
3-View |   |
A three-view drawing (752 x 771) |
Specification |   |
MODEL | U-2C, on service with NASA | |
CREW | 1 | |
ENGINE | 1 x Pratt-Whitney J75-P-13B, 7711kg | |
WEIGHTS | ||
Take-off weight | 10225 kg | 22542 lb |
DIMENSIONS | ||
Wingspan | 24.38 m | 80 ft 0 in |
Length | 15.24 m | 50 ft 0 in |
Height | 4.57 m | 15 ft 0 in |
Wing area | 52.49 m2 | 565.00 sq ft |
PERFORMANCE | ||
Cruise speed | 740 km/h | 460 mph |
Ceiling | 27000 m | 88600 ft |
Range | 4635 km | 2880 miles |
3-View |   |
A three-view drawing (678 x 756) |
Comments | 1-20 21-40 |
Gary Halbert, e-mail, 29.03.2023 19:58 This is my second entry in this question and answer section of comments (see my first entry above: 26.02.2012). reply |
Gramps, e-mail, 18.05.2017 00:16 When was the last U-2, or variant, made. One of my books looks like maybe 1979. Question 2: Would it be appropriate to call it a "Lockheed-Martin". My opinion is no unless someone has a copy of a Kelly Johnson paycheck from Martin. reply |
mike penton, e-mail, 06.08.2015 03:01 mike penton, I was in sferics shop from 70 and left early 73, I workrd with boot, ralph owen. so long ago cant remember others, went tdy to florida and u tapo saw owen a couple years ago lives in tnn. reply |
Norman Dunbar, e-mail, 26.01.2024 mike penton
I left 100 sferics shop in 1968 and went to 100 AMMS sperics. Did you know Unger, Bochino, Weaver, Paul (had a green 68 GTO), Dutton, I think Thompson was shop cheif? Most of the guys I new got early outs to go back to college.
reply
Matthew Lane, e-mail, 15.08.2023 chris wanstall
Hello Chris. I am an RC guy myself. My father flew the U2 out of Laughlin AFB back in the 1950's. I went to a reunion with him and his crew which was the 4080 Strategic recon wing. I am currently working on a Horizon Adagio. I have 2 of them and one of them I am painting into my version of a U2. Did you ever get plans on a U2 to build? Just curious.
Thanks
Matthew Lane
reply
Mike Mitchell, e-mail, 02.03.2024 Michael Warren
Michael,
Did you work in the Instrument shop in the U2 hanger?
Mike
reply
Ernie Peedin, e-mail, 23.05.2022 Michael Warren
I was at DM from August '71 til October '74 and worked in the Nepho shop (cameras) of the 100th AMS. I was familiar with the C-130 drone program as well and had a friend, Mark Nash, that worked in their camera shot. Hard to find much info on us from that period.
reply
Tony DAy, e-mail, 15.06.2024 Ernie Peedin
I was in the NEPHO shop from 1970-73. I've been working with Gary Powers Jr. as a consultant to his Cold War Museum in Vint Hill VA. I have assisted him giving talks about his dad. My wife and I now live in a retirement community in Bridgewater Va. Gary Jr's son Trey who just graduated from James Madison University has visited us to learn about blacksmithing as his dad told him it was one of my hobbies. I hope all is well with you.
Tony Day
reply
Kevin Woodbury, e-mail, 17.01.2023 Ernie Peedin
Hi Ernie,
How are you? I just saw your name here as I was browsing. Thought I would reach out to you. I am retired and living in Rochester NY. How are you doing? Hope all is well
reply
Bwana, e-mail, 11.02.2013 19:05 No, we didn't shut the engine down to "extend range". reply |
John Joss, e-mail, 14.01.2013 20:15 I had the privilege of flying in the CT-2 out of Beale AFB in December 1976 with (then) Captain Denny Gagen, writing an article for FLYING (April 1977). Denny went on to work for NASA in Houston, I believe--a kind and patient instructor pilot. reply |
Norman Dubay, e-mail, 04.10.2012 06:12 I'm looking for information on early (u-2a) co*ckpit colors. From what I've found is the first batch of U-2s were procured by the CIA with the balance procured by the air force. I have a couple of photos with what appears to co*ckpit colors of interior green. I was wondering if this was true for the first batch and the follow ons were done in an aircraft gray. Any thoughts? I'm also looking for info on Rudolf Anderson's U-2F at the time of the shoot down. Did it have the slipper fuel wing tanks on and the the sugar scoop at the end of the tailpipe. Please contact me at ptolemax@hotmail,com. Thanks, Norm Dubay reply |
Richard, e-mail, 14.07.2012 15:26 While I was in India during the time of the Sino Indian & Pakistan Indian wars I heard a story that a bomb had been put in Garry Powers aircraft while at a Pakistan air base, this bomb was designed to blow off the tail to stop the aircraft gliding and allow the aircraft and pilot to be captured this was done by a Communist agent who was a travelling circus owner ?? reply |
oswaldo sanviti, e-mail, 06.07.2012 02:00 what is the naca of this airfoils? reply |
Joy, e-mail, 01.09.2022 oswaldo sanviti
Did you know oswaldo g. Sanviti?
reply
Tony Day, e-mail, 15.06.2024 Glen Poulin
Hi Glen, I worked in the Nepho shop from 1970-73. Do you think we might have run into each other?
reply
Norman Curtis Dunbar, e-mail, 06.07.2021 Glen Poulin
I was in the 100th Sperics shop for a short time in 72. Some of us ECM guys were sent to the 100th AMMS to work on the drones. My trainer was Jim Green. I remember a few other names Bochino, Peldunus, Unger, Nunn, Silver, Shepard. Those were some pretty hot volley ball games at lunch time.
Norm
reply
1-20 21-40
Do you have any comments?
All the World's Rotorcraft