Posted on 01/16/2021 12:22:30 PM PST by Onthebrink
“Old air frames aren’t going away...”
Skunk works hasn’t been sitting on their verandas a lot. The latest of the replacements for the old U2 Dragonlady is called the “TR-X” and they were in the air last year. TR-X looks very much like the U-2, taking advantage of the spy plane’s General Electric F118 engine and with a similar modular payload capability. The concept is for a low-observable aircraft designed to fly at 70,000 feet.
But not too many yet as the air force is upgrading the remotely piloted Global Hawk with new capabilities. The issue is they don’t have the money to afford two high-altitude ISR platforms. And the addition of drones can over reach the budget.
wy69
Ever seen a U-2 take off?
Slowly dribbling down the run way, and then suddenly turning UP! The lift on that thing is confusing to the mind.
Ever seen a U-2 take off?
Slowly dribbling down the run way, and then suddenly turning UP! The lift on that thing is confusing to the mind.
Found a video of a more moderate takeoff:
https://youtu.be/IioGXVBlVZM?t=139
Note the landing gear fall off after only about 2 seconds
Quite a machine. Wow!
“How was Gary Powers shot down?”
Powers was shot down by an S-75 Dvina (SA-2 Guideline) surface-to-air missile over Sverdlovsk. A total of 14 Dvinas were launched, one of which hit a MiG-19 jet fighter which was sent to intercept the U-2 but could not reach a high enough altitude. Its pilot, Sergei Safronov, ejected but died of his injuries.
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