13. U-2S
Joined the Service in 1955
Not retired: N/A
Expense: *$9.1 million
Lockheed’s U-2 series was dubbed “The Dragon Lady.” The CIA and USAF have both utilised this high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. It offers intelligence collection day or night and in all weather conditions. The TR-1A and U-2R were both renamed as U-2S aircraft.General Electric and Lockheed collaborated to modernise the F118 engine.
U-2S On Twitter.com / @L_ThinkTank
The sensors on the U-2S are also better. There is now a GPS receiver included. Thirty-one U2 aircraft have been upgraded to U-2S thus far. The term “tactical reconnaissance” is represented by the initials “TR.” The U-2S was derived from the TR-1A, which made its maiden flight in 1981. Because it has a “superpod” under each of its wings, the TR-1A is easily identifiable.
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