The ‘U’ stands for utility, purposefully chosen to mislead about the airplane’s true, top-secret role.
The US Air Force used the U-2 for reconnaissance missions during the Cold War—and still uses it today. Lockheed’s highly classified Skunk Works division designed the U-2 for high-altitude photographic and communications intelligence, making it capable of day or night all-weather surveillance. Lockheed configured the U-2 with an array of cameras, electronic intelligence equipment, and radar- homing warning systems. During the Cold War, the US Air Force utilized the U-2 for detecting Soviet intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. This aircraft is still being used today for surveillance and reconnaissance missions across the globe.
In the 1960s and 70s, Hill Air Force Base conducted maintenance and repair on the photographic equipment used on the U-2. The base set quality standards for US Air Force photo laboratories, such as those serving RF-4, U-2, SR-71, photo drones, and other weapon systems.
This U-2 on display has seen a lot. Originally a U-2A and delivered in the “Hard Nose” configuration (air sampling) for the High-altitude Air Sampling Project, the US Air Force quickly converted the aircraft to a U-2C in 1957. During its life, it flew reconnaissance missions for the US Air Force and supported CIA operations as well. Remarkably, it survived a forced landing on a frozen lake located in Canada on 15 March 1960 after it lost engine power. Finally retiring in 1980, this Dragon Lady went from active service to being a display at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, in the 1980s. It came to the Hill Aerospace Museum in 2022 and now calls Utah “home.”
This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Serial Number: 56-6716
Manufacturer: Lockheed
Primary Function: Long range, high altitude strategic reconnaissance
Crew: One
Engines: One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-13 turbojet
Wingspan: 80 ft
Length: 49 ft 7 in
Height: 13 ft
Weight: 13,870 lbs; 24,150 lbs (maximum takeoff weight)
Speed: 550 mph (cruising); 665 mph (maximum)
Range: 3,000 miles
Service Ceiling: 73,000 ft
Armament: None
Years of Service: 1956– present
The ‘U’ stands for utility, purposefully chosen to mislead about the airplane’s true, top-secret role.
The US Air Force and National Air and Space Administration both fly the 27 remaining U-2 to this day.
The Dragon Lady was specifically designed for extreme altitude and flight longevity, sacrificing tricycle type landing gear for a bicycle-type, and poor handling at low-altitude, as well as poor forward visibility. This results in an aircraft that is notoriously difficult to control and challenging to truly master.
Believed to be capable of flying well above anti-aircraft weaponry of the time, in 1960 a U-2 was shot down over the Soviet Union while capturing imagery. This lead to a diplomatic crisis between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Although widely unreported, at least five U-2s were downed over China between the 60s and 70s.
Designed with what is called a high aspect ratio wings, the U-2 has a glide ratio of 23:1, making it comparable to gliders.