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[[Image:US Air Force U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A U.S. Air Force U-2 "Dragon Lady"reconnaissance aircraft flies a training mission.]]  

[[Image:US Air Force U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A U.S. Air Force U-2 "Dragon Lady"reconnaissance aircraft flies a training mission.]]  

[[Image:U2cameradv1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Part of the actual camera system used in the U-2.]]

[[Image:U2cameradv1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Part of the actual camera system used in the U-2.]]

The '''U-2''' or '''Utility-2''' is a spyplane operated by  The [[United States Air Force]]. The U-2 is capable of flying at altitudes of 70,000 ft. for long periods of time, due to its lightweight nature.<ref name="airforce-tech1">http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/u2/</ref>

The '''U-2''' or '''Utility-2''' is a spyplane operated by  The [[United States Air Force]]. The U-2 is capable of flying at altitudes of 70,000&nbsp;ft. for long periods of time, due to its lightweight nature.<ref name="airforce-tech1">http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/u2/</ref>

==History==

==History==

The U-2 was created in 1954 <ref name="blackbirds.net">http://www.blackbirds.net/u2/u2-timeline/u2tl50.html</ref> in response to the growing threat of the Soviet Union's nuclear program during the [[Cold War]], and the lack of other forms of intelligence at that time. The United States Air Force originally thought to just modify an existing aircraft for aerial photography, but this plan had many potential problems. Instead of just completing the original request for a modified aircraft, Lockheed-Martin designeer Clarance L. "Kelly" Johnson led a team to research a new aircraft design at the "Skunk Works" site.<ref name="airforce-tech1"/> Before being renamed to U-2, the project was referred to as the "Lockheed CL-282". <ref>Eyeball To Eyeball - Dino Brugioni</ref>

The U-2 was created in 1954 <ref name="blackbirds.net">http://www.blackbirds.net/u2/u2-timeline/u2tl50.html</ref> in response to the growing threat of the Soviet Union's nuclear program during the [[Cold War]], and the lack of other forms of intelligence at that time. The United States Air Force originally thought to just modify an existing aircraft for aerial photography, but this plan had many potential problems. Instead of just completing the original request for a modified aircraft, Lockheed-Martin designeer Clarance L. "Kelly" Johnson led a team to research a new aircraft design at the "Skunk Works" site.<ref name="airforce-tech1"/> Before being renamed to U-2, the project was referred to as the "Lockheed CL-282".<ref>Eyeball To Eyeball - Dino Brugioni</ref>

The first U-2 flight was successfully flown by pilot Tony LeVier on August 4, 1955. The first operational U-2 mission over Poland and East Germany was flown by Carl Overstreet on June 20, 1956. <ref name="blackbirds.net"/>

The first U-2 flight was successfully flown by pilot Tony LeVier on August 4, 1955. The first operational U-2 mission over Poland and East Germany was flown by Carl Overstreet on June 20, 1956.<ref name="blackbirds.net"/>

==Photography==

==Photography==

Numerous reconnaissance missions were flown at later dates, with some venturing over the [[USSR]].

Numerous reconnaissance missions were flown at later dates, with some venturing over the [[USSR]].

In one mission over the USSR, flown by [[Francis Gary Powers]], a Surface-To Air Missile was launched, disabling the aircraft. Powers escaped and was taken prisoner by the Soviet Union. <ref>Operation Overflight - Francis Gary Powers</ref> (For more information, see [[Francis Gary Powers]])

In one mission over the USSR, flown by [[Francis Gary Powers]], a Surface-To Air Missile was launched, disabling the aircraft. Powers escaped and was taken prisoner by the Soviet Union.<ref>Operation Overflight - Francis Gary Powers</ref> (For more information, see [[Francis Gary Powers]])

==Cuban Missile Crisis==

==Cuban Missile Crisis==

On October 14th, a U-2 photographed nuclear missiles being constructed by the [[Soviet Union]], on the island of [[Cuba]]. As these missiles were not yet operational, it gave the United States the advantage of an early warning. U-2 flights continued to monitor the construction of the missiles. (For more information, see [[Cuban Missile Crisis]])

On October 14, a U-2 photographed nuclear missiles being constructed by the [[Soviet Union]], on the island of [[Cuba]]. As these missiles were not yet operational, it gave the United States the advantage of an early warning. U-2 flights continued to monitor the construction of the missiles. (For more information, see [[Cuban Missile Crisis]])

==Technical Specifications==

==Technical Specifications==