Lockheed U-2

Mystery Spotter 🇺🇸

15 May 2026 · © Unknown

A dramatic silhouette of a Lockheed U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft in flight, showcasing its distinctive long slender wings.

1 likes 0 comments

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

More like this

Lockheed C-130 Hercules (L-382/EC-130/QC-130)

Aircraft

U-2 U2

Manufacturer

Lockheed

Gear

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max back camera 6.765mm f/1.78

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Military Maverick

3 badges earned

Photo grade

Score: 62.0

Dramatic angle, but focus is very soft and the subject is heavily silhouetted against a flat sky.

Insights

Aviation History

The Lockheed U-2 is one of the most iconic high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft in aviation history, known for its role during the Cold War and continued use into the 21st century for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Fleet Rarity

Extremely rare; only around 30 operational (all with the USAF) as of 2024.

Record Flights

Noted for extreme high-altitude (over 21,337 m) missions, famously involved in 1960 Gary Powers incident over the Soviet Union.

Safety & Events

Several notable incidents, the most famous being the 1960 shootdown of Francis Gary Powers over the USSR.

Future Outlook

Still in limited service, with planned replacement by newer surveillance platforms and satellites.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney J75-P-13B turbojet

Engine

31.39 m

Wingspan

19.2 m

Length

11,300 km

Range

764 km/h

Speed

1 (pilot, reconnaissance mission only)

Capacity

18,145 kg

MTOW

4.65 m

Height

75.6 kN (17,000 lbf)

Thrust

Not publicly rated (military)

Noise