The US used eight unique U-2 reconnaissance aircraft at once

A large-scale demonstration of aircraft took place in California. Eight U-2 reconnaissance aircraft took part in it.

RBC-Ukraine reports it regarding the website of the magazine Air & Space Forces.

The famous U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft was publicly displayed at Beale Air Force Base in California. On January 4, eight aircraft lined up on the runway, about 30% of the entire U-2 fleet.

Runway 15/33, on which the event took place, has a length of more than 12,000 feet (almost 3.7 kilometers). This event was one of the largest demonstrations of U-2 aircraft in recent history. Also on the strip were nine T-38 Talons and two KC-135R stratotankers.

U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft are high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed in the United States in the mid-1950s. They were designed to collect intelligence at high altitudes, where it would be difficult to detect and shoot down enemy air defenses.

The first flight of the U-2 took place on August 4, 1955. In the early 1960s, U-2s were used to collect intelligence about the Soviet Union, China, and other countries.

Aircraft played an important role in the Cold War. They provided the United States with valuable information about the military capabilities of the USSR and other countries.

Currently, U-2 continues to be used by the US Air Force. However, they are gradually decommissioned. They are replaced by new reconnaissance aircraft such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 09/01/2024