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> The US is still building new U-2's because there's nothing comparable to it still. Last built in 1989 I'm afraid, though they're still pushing off retirement
by rory096 11y ago
> The US is still building new U-2's because there's nothing comparable to it still.
Last built in 1989 I'm afraid, though they're still pushing off retirement because drones haven't quite taken over the game yet.
- Phlarp 11y agoWhat can a U2 do that a drone can't do?
- dogma1138 11y agoThe U2 carries pretty much every airborne sensor we've built so far, when it comes to ISR roles the U2 can fly much higher and further than any drone, and give both line of sight and over the horizon coverage which most drones cant. The Global Hawk can almost match the U2 in altitude 60,000 feet vs 70,000 but it can carry only a fraction of the sensors that the U2 can, and it also is currently more expensive than the U2. If it retires I hope that the US will preserve some for private sale, I would rather fly in a U2 at this point than than on the spaceship one, there's just something about a minimalistic design from the dawn of the "atomic age" which is still relevant today that can bring you to 1/8th of the way to low earth orbit that is inspiring.
- dogma1138 11y agoThe last air-frame was built in 98, and they are still rebuilding older ones to the new U2-S specs, and now in 2016 it will again get upgraded with new tech.