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...andReprieve Likely for U-2 Dragon Lady
- March 20, 2017, 7:30 AM
The U.S. Air Force is preparing to extend the service life of the U-2S Dragon Lady for several more years.
Under previous budget plans, the evergreen spyplane was due to be retired in 2019-20, leaving only the unmanned RQ-4B Global Hawk to perform the high-altitude reconnaissance mission.
Managers at the Lockheed Martin (LM) Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, are preparing upgrade proposals for the U-2’s sensors and communications fit.
Gen. “Hawk” Carlisle, who retired last week as commander of Air Combat Command,
told last November that “we’re trying to find the money”
to retain the U-2.
Now a senior Air Force ISR official has told the Skunk Works leadership that the 27-strong fleet will be retained until at least the mid-2020s.
Two upgrades for the U-2 are already being developed.
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... ragon-lady
is worth a read...