Lockheed U-2 – Φώτο & Βίντεο

Teh Λόκχεντ U-2, με το παρατσούκλι "Dragon Lady", είναι ένα αμερικανικό μονοκινητήριο, εξαιρετικά μεγάλο υψόμετρο αναγνωριστικό αεροσκάφος που λειτουργεί από την Πολεμική Αεροπορία των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών (USAF) και προηγουμένως πέταξε από την Κεντρική Υπηρεσία Πληροφοριών (CIA). Παρέχει μέρα και νύχτα, μεγάλο υψόμετρο (70.000 πόδια, 21.000 μ.), συλλογή πληροφοριών παντός καιρού. Το U-2 έχει επίσης χρησιμοποιηθεί για έρευνα ηλεκτρονικών αισθητήρων, βαθμονόμηση δορυφόρων, επιστημονική έρευνα και σκοπούς επικοινωνιών.

Πηγή: Η Lockheed U-2 στη Βικιπαίδεια

Teh Λόκχεντ U-2 is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that was developed by the United States in the 1950s. The U-2 was designed to fly at altitudes above 70,000 feet (21,000 meters), beyond the reach of most Soviet air defenses at the time. The U-2 was used to conduct covert surveillance missions over the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and other countries of interest during the Cold War. The U-2 was also involved in several notable incidents, such as the 1960 U-2 incident, when a U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union and captured, and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when U-2 photographs revealed the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba.
Teh U-2 is still in service today, with upgrades and modifications to extend its lifespan and capabilities. The U-2 is operated by the United States Air Force and the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as by NASA for scientific research. The U-2 is one of the most challenging aircraft to fly, requiring special training and equipment for the pilots and ground crews. The U-2 is also one of the most valuable assets for intelligence gathering, providing high-resolution imagery and signals intelligence from around the world.