The U-2, key to Lockheed Skunk Works' fame, has served for over 40 years, remaining vital despite spy satellites. No current plans exist to retire it for UAVs. Characteristics ISBN-13 9781580070096 ISBN-10 1-58007-009-4 Book cover finish(es) Perfect paperback Condition Like New Author(s) Dennis R. Jenkins Publisher Specialty Press Number of pages 100 Published date 1998 Language(s) English Collection / Series WarbirdTech Series Size 21 x 27,5 x 0,8 cm Categorie(s) • APPAREILS - CONSTRUCTEURS• AVIATION MILITAIRE Description The U-2 made the Lockheed Skunk Works. Although Lockheed’s Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson was already an established aircraft designer, and what is now known as Skunk Works had conceived and built the XP-80 Shooting Star and XF-104 Starfighter prototypes, it was the CIA’s decision to let Lockheed design and build the U-2 that cemented Skunk Works’ reputation. Much of the U-2's history and current operations remains classified. But the aircraft has been in constant service for over 40 years, and numerous details have made their way into the public domain. The aircraft continues to provide remarkable service even though its demise was predicted 30 years ago when spy satellites became the intelligence community’s technology of choice. Interestingly, the Dragon Lady has long outlived its heir apparent, the Mach 3+ A-12 Blackbird, another Kelly Johnson design. There are currently no plans to phase the U-2 out of service, and efforts to replace it with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are running into considerable development delays. WARBIRDTECH SERIES is a collection of books dedicated to historical military aircraft, particularly those that had a significant impact during World War II and subsequent conflicts. Each volume focuses on a specific aircraft model, providing an in-depth analysis of its technical features, development, and operational use. The books in this series are distinguished by their combination of detailed illustrations, rare photographs, and technical drawings, allowing aviation enthusiasts and historians to explore the specifics of each aircraft. In addition to technical aspects, the series also examines the historical and military context in which these planes operated, making each book not only informative but also engaging for readers interested in aviation and military history. The series is particularly appreciated by collectors, modelers, and aviation enthusiasts for its rigorous research and visually appealing presentation.
