[pepsionice]

The U2 type imagery is releaseable...the US even gives the stuff to the forestry service when they ask. The type of technology it uses is basically 1950s...although updated. As for satellites...the preferred method...its not always releaseable. The US has no intention of releasing this capability out to the public. One added benifit of the U2 is that it can utilize some commerical type equipment and pick up items with a lot of heat generated (mainly SCUDS), and the Iraqis know this...so they would perfer not to have to admit that they actually have a lot of SCUDS just laying out in the desert.

[js1138]

The type of technology it uses is basically 1950s...

The U-2 is an aircraft. If you believe it would carry 1950s style sensors over Iraq, I have a bridge to sell you. I suspect that any attempt to shoot down a U-2 would be met by some resistance, to put it mildly.