U-2 Dragon Lady
Recon / 17,000 lbf / 40,000 lbs / Single Jet
Year: Introduced 1956
Role: High-altitude reconnaissance
Crew: 1 (pilot)
Engine: 1 × General Electric F118-101 turbofan
Thrust: ~17,000 lbf (75.6 kN)
Top Speed: ~500 mph (805 km/h)
Service Ceiling: 70,000+ ft (21,300+ m)
Range: ~7,000 mi (11,265 km)
Endurance: ~12 hours
Empty Weight: ~16,000 lbs (7,257 kg)
Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~40,000 lbs (18,144 kg)
Length: 63 ft (19.2 m)
Wingspan: 105 ft (32 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.9 m)
Armament: None (unarmed; equipped with advanced sensors and cameras)
The Lockheed U-2 “Dragon Lady” is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed in the 1950s for the CIA and U.S. Air Force to conduct surveillance deep into enemy territory during the Cold War. Capable of flying above 70,000 feet, it could operate beyond the reach of early air defenses while capturing detailed imagery and signals intelligence. The U-2 gained international attention during the 1960 U-2 incident, when pilot Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union. Despite its age, the U-2 has remained in service for over six decades thanks to continuous upgrades in sensors, avionics, and data systems, providing near real-time intelligence in modern conflicts and strategic operations worldwide.
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