Continuing Story of the U-2
The Continuing Story of the U-2 Spyplane By Chris Pocock It’s the plane that just won’t go away! Earlier this year, the US Air Force bowed to pressure from field commanders, legislators and reconnaissance experts, by scrapping plans to retire the U-2 in Fiscal 2016. It was the second time this century,that the Dragon Lady had escaped the axe. The Global Hawk UAV, its high-flying rival, has turned out to be an expensive and inadequate replacement. This is not your father’s U-2. Take a proven airframe, with years of life remaining, and add the very best sensors and communication gear. Give it to a highly skilled pilot, and provide good support from a dedicated team. No wonder the U-2 remains the most advanced reconnaissance aircraft in the world. Chris Pocock has followed the Dragon Lady for 30 years. He has flown in the jet, and talked to hundreds of U-2 pilots, maintainers, managers and commanders. His previous book on 50 Years of the U-2 is the sta...