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Lockheed Martin U-2S

Type (Muster)
High altitude strategic reconnaisance aircraft (hochfliegender strategischer Aufklärer)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works
1011 Lockheed Way
Palmdale, California

Phone: 001-805/572-4155
Fax: 001-805/572-4163

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1 (2 in trainer version)

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x General Electric F118-GE-100 turbofan
Power (Leistung): 1 x 19000 lbs (84,5 kN)

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 19,13 m
Height (Höhe): 4,88 m
Span (Spannweite): 31,39 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): ca. 93 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Operating weight empty (Einsatz-Leermasse): ca. 8600 kg
Max. fuel (max. Kraftstoff): 3470 kg
Payload (Nutzlast): 1815 kg (1179 kg in NASA ER-2)
Max. take-off weight (max. Startmasse): 18145 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit): ca. 760 km/h / Mach 0.715 at cruise altitude
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): over (über) 70000 ft (21335 m)
Climb rate (Steigrate): 60000 ft (18000 m) can be reached in about 35-45 minutes
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): ca. 200 m
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): ca 760 m
Range (Reichweite): 6090 NM (11280 km) or more
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): over 14 h
Turn diameteer at altitude (Kurvenradien in Einsatzhöhe): 22,5 km at (bei) 22 degrees bank angle (Schräglage)

Customers (Kunden)
The US Air Force currently has 36 aircraft in service, including four trainers. NASA has three ER-2s.

Cost (Preis)
No details available

Competition (Konkurrenz)
none

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
After the retirement of the SR-71 fleet, the U-2S is the sole strategic reconnaisance asset of the US Air Force. It is operating in the hot spots world-wide, flying beyond the reach of most anti-aircraft missiles. The U-2 can be fitted with multible sensors to obtain photos, infrared and radar images of large swathes of terrain. It can also carry electronic recce equipment.
The U-2s are based with the 9th reconnaissance wing at Beale AFB (California), comprising the 99th reconnaissance squadron and the 1st reconnaissance squadron (training). Overseas detachments are routine, comprising such locations as Istres (France), RAF Akrotiri (Cyprus), Taif (Saudi Arabia) or Osan (South Korea).
The history of the U-2 goes back to the 50s, but the current version traces its ancestry to the completely redesigned U-2R, which first flew on 28. August 1967 at Edwards AFB. A dozen aircraft were built in 1967/68.
The line reopened in 1979 with an order for 37 new airframes, comprising seven U-2Rs, one U-2RT trainer, 25 TR-1As, two TR-1B trainers and two ER-2s for NASA (Photo).
The TR-1As were mainly destined for tactical recce with the ASARS-2 radar sensor in the nose. The first TR-1A flew in August 1991, and the final machine was delivered in 1989. In December 1991, the designation has reverted to U-2R or U-2RT for the trainers.
In July 1989, the U-2 was flown for the first time with an General Electric F101 turbofan (precursor of the F118), replacing the old Pratt & Whitney J75-P-13B, which had become less and less supportable. With the new powerplant, the designation is now U-2S. The first U-2S was handed over to the USAF on 28. October 1994, and all remaining aircraft will be modified accordingly until 1999. Improvements also include a better electrical system, digital autopilot and an auxiliary spoiler activation system. U-2s are planned to stay in service to 2020.
The last operational sortie by an U-2R with the J79 engine was flown on March 19, 1997 from Istres, France.

Last updated November 19, 1997

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