Lockheed U-2 – Fotos e Vídeo

O Lockheed U-2, apelidado de "Dragon Lady", é um avião de reconhecimento de monoa jato americano, de ultra-alta altitude operado pela Força Aérea dos Estados Unidos (USAF) e anteriormente pilotado pela Agência Central de Inteligência (CIA). Fornece dia e noite, alta altitude (70.000 pés; 21.000 m), coleta de inteligência de todo o tempo. O U-2 também tem sido usado para pesquisa de sensores eletrônicos, calibração por satélite, pesquisa científica e fins de comunicação.

Fonte: Lockheed U-2 na Wikipédia

O Lockheed 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.
O 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.