Changes

==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"/>

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"/>