How good is the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft?

How good is the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft?

In China, there is a saying called "True gold is not afraid of fire." This sentence is also applicable in the military field. An excellent military weapon and equipment can also withstand time. The test is such a fighter aircraft that has withstood the test of time. This is the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.

This U-2 reconnaissance aircraft is a single-seat, single-engine high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft of the United States Air Force. The fuselage length of this reconnaissance aircraft is 15.11 meters, and its wingspan is 20 4.38 meters, the overall height of the fuselage is 3.86 meters, the empty weight reaches 5930 kilograms, the maximum take-off weight reaches 13154 kilograms, and the power system uses A J57 turbojet engine.

This engine can produce 48.9 thousand newtons of thrust, enabling its maximum flight speed to reach 810 kilometers per hour and its cruising speed of 670 kilometers per hour.

This U-2 reconnaissance aircraft was designed and developed by the American Lockheed Company. It completed its first flight in August 1955 and began to be equipped with the U.S. Air Force in 1956. Even now, it can still be used as a tactical reconnaissance aircraft. In 2005, the United States was preparing to retire all U-2 reconnaissance aircraft by 2011 at the latest, but even by 2019 Today, this decommissioning plan has not yet been implemented.

The reason why this U-2 reconnaissance aircraft has been able to fight in the north and south for so many years relies on its excellent performance. First of all, in terms of the structural design of this reconnaissance aircraft, its fuselage adopts It has an all-metal thin skin structure, so its body is very slender, and its structural weight is also very light, so its maneuverability is very high.

In addition, this U-2 reconnaissance aircraft is also equipped with a high-resolution photography combination system, which can take photos of a width of 200 kilometers within an altitude range of 15,000 meters within four hours. It can provide clear images of ground scenes within a range of 4,300 kilometers, and print out 4,000 photos for intelligence analysis. It can also be equipped with panoramic photography, multispectral analyzers, and electronic reconnaissance that can receive radar signals and communication signals. Equipment etc.

It is precisely because of these outstanding performances that this U-2 reconnaissance aircraft can perform all-weather reconnaissance missions at an altitude of more than 20,000 meters day and night, both in peacetime and in wartime. Providing important military intelligence to decision makers, it can also be used for the development of electronic sensors and for confirming satellite data and calibration.

This U-2 reconnaissance aircraft has made great contributions to the U.S. Air Force. This reconnaissance aircraft is of extremely important significance. Although in the 21st century, the performance and characteristics of this reconnaissance aircraft are It is difficult to support and complete some dangerous military tasks, but its significance in the history of the U.S. Air Force will never be erased!