After 50 years U-2 spyplane still delivers the goods

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SEO303852.htm

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea, July 31 (Reuters) - As the matt-black U-2 spy plane approaches, a sports car surges on to the runway and gives chase.

Within seconds, the car is right behind the glider-winged, Pinocchio-nosed jet, which seems to fill the windshield as it edges toward the ground.

"Four ... 2 ... 2 ... 1 ... nice job," the driver intones over a handset, guiding the pilot down while steering the sleek blue car one-handed at up to 130 mph (210 kph). "Welcome back."

It all sounds -- and feels -- like a one-off stunt for a big-budget action movie. Yet this chase is repeated many times a day at a handful of bases dotted strategically around the globe.

It is a vital and unique part of a routine that has kept one of the world's most hard-to-fly planes airborne near the edge of space for half a century to gather secret information for U.S. intelligence and the military.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SEO131806.htm

Facts about U-2 spyplane after 50 years

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea, July 31 (Reuters) - The U-2 spyplane first flew in August 50 years ago. Following are some facts about the aircraft.

HISTORY

The Central Intelligence Agency commissioned and operated the plane and ran its missions until the air force took over in 1974. Its first official flight was on Aug. 8, 1955, although it got airborne briefly during runway trials on Aug. 1. The plane has been used to gather intelligence on every major conflict and period of tension involving the United States. It first hit the headlines when the Soviet Union brought down a U-2 piloted by Gary Powers in May 1960.

- - - -

ROLE

The U-2 uses a wide range of cutting-edge sensors to collect information ranging from air samples to aerial photographs for the U.S. military and intelligence. It can relay much of the information immediately by digital satellite links. Details are classified, but past operations in Iraq, for example, have involved targeting and post-bombing assessments. One defence expert says the plane is still valuable because it can peer into territory otherwise off-limits -- such as Iran, North Korea or China -- and stay overhead longer than satellites. The plane can be deployed anywhere from bases in the United States, the Middle East and South Korea, or from other temporary bases. The U-2 has been used to help assess disasters as well as to spy.

- - - -

VITAL STATISTICS

Single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft known as the "Dragon Lady" and widely recognised as one of the world's most difficult aircraft to fly. One pilot says it is like ballet-dancing with a rhinoceros.

Resembles glider with bulbous nose and wing pods. No weapons.

The most recent version is about 40 percent larger than the 1950s original and has a high-tech cockpit with glass displays.

Length: 63 feet (19 metres)

Wingspan: 105 feet (32 metres)

Ceiling: above 70,000 feet (21,330 metres)

Cruising speed: 430 mph (690 kph)

Range: more than 4,000 miles (6,400 km)

Time aloft: more than nine hours

Planes in service with air force: 36 (26 in active service). NASA also operates a civilian version.

NOTE: exact flight characteristics are classified.