Can the U.S. 40-Year-Old Reconnaissance Aircraft Actually Reach Space?

The high-altitude reconnaissance plane U-2 Dragon Lady
An old aircraft used for nearly 40 years
Still untouchable by most countries

As the mid-20th century rolled over and the Cold War era returned, reconnaissance became crucial. With the rapid development of observation and flight technology, it became possible to scout out the battlefield before the conflict and formulate effective strategies or eliminate potential threats in advance. Therefore, the superpowers of the time, the United States and the Soviet Union, did not hesitate to invest heavily in reconnaissance technology.

The reconnaissance plane born from this process was the U-2 Dragon Lady. Let’s quickly delve into this aircraft, which played a crucial role in observing enemy bases with advanced cameras while conducting reconnaissance operations at high altitudes.

Reconnaissance plane made at the request of the CIA
Essentially, flying in space

Although the U-2 is a reconnaissance plane operated by the U.S. Air Force, surprisingly, its development was requested by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This was because it was crucial during the Cold War to understand the geographical information, military deployment, and location of military facilities of enemy countries for national security. After the CIA flight team disbanded, it became operated by the U.S. Air Force, which continues to this day.

As a high-altitude reconnaissance plane, U-2 pilots don’t wear regular flight suits, but pressure suits similar to spacesuits. This has the dual advantage of being able to effectively conduct surveillance and ensure the safety of the pilot and the aircraft by staying out of the range of conventional anti-aircraft weapons.

Aircraft with nearly 40 years of service
Only one case of being shot down

The U-2, despite being such a vital reconnaissance plane, has surprisingly been operated for a long time. The U-2, which has been in use for 40 years, has many episodes, such as photographing the Soviet Union’s nuclear missile base in Cuba, causing the Soviet Union to panic.

During its operation by the United States, it was officially shot down only once. At the time, it crashed after being hit by a Soviet SA-2 anti-aircraft missile while hiding in the mountains, having lowered its altitude to restart the engine. The pilot is said to have been subsequently repatriated to the United States.

Outlived its successor
The safest means of reconnaissance

It’s not that there was no replacement project. In 1964, the SR-71, famous as the fastest military aircraft on Earth, was supposed to replace the U-2. However, due to various circumstances, it was finally confirmed that the U-2 would be used until 2030.

Of course, it’s an old aircraft, but the U-2 is currently the safest means among all precise reconnaissance methods. No country on Earth can shoot down such a high-altitude reconnaissance plane, and even if they have the ability, they dare not shoot down the U.S. reconnaissance plane.