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Military Aircraft Lockheed U-2 (TR-1A) Photo By Salamander |
| Beginning in August 1955 at the height of the cold war between the United States and the USSr, Lockheed very quickly conceived and built the U-2 reconnaissance plane in the famous but highly secret "Skunk Works" Kelly Johnson's design could fly at a very high altitudes, making interception virtually impossible. The U-2 was difficult to fly, but had great range, including glide capability and possessed excellent surveillance systems. The Ability of the U-2 to fly above missile ranges frustrated Soviet defenses for a long time. Only 53 were built, including five U-2D trainers. On May 1, 1960 a U-2 flown by Francis Gary Powers, was shot down over the USSR after problems force the plane to a lower altitude. The U-2 played another decisive factor in a still greater crisis of the 1960s when it detected Soviet missiles being erected in Cuba. The U-2 was in service for many years in high altitude military reconnaissance and civil upper atmosphere research conducted by NASA, Lockheed received a contract from the USAF to reopen a production line in 1980 to build a revised U-2 known as the TR-1A , 26 of the new version were built plus two seat TR-1Bs. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Lockheed | Length: 63 ft. 0 in. |
| First Flight: | Height: 16 ft. 0 in. |
| Model: A | Wing Span: 103.0 ft. 0 in. |
| Crew: One | Wing Area: 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: | Empty Weight: 15,100 lb. |
| Basic Role: Reconnaissance aircraft. | Max. Weight: 40,000 lb. |
| Other Versions: U-2A initial production. U-2R larger with more fuel. TR-1A tactical reconnaissance from reopened line. ER-2 earth resources for NASA. | Armament: None |
| Principal User: Taiwan, and USA. |
Propulsion |
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Performance |
Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney J75-P-13B turbojet. |
| Range: radius 1,500 miles endurance 12 hours. | Horsepower: 1,700-lb thrush. |
| Max. Speed: 340+ mph. at 70,000 ft. | No. Of Engines: One |
| Ceiling: 90,000 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: |