U-2 Spyplane Replacement Mulled By Lockheed Martin | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

 Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.05.25

Airborne-NextGen-05.06.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.07.25

Airborne-Unlimited-05.01.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.02.25

Wed, Aug 26, 2015

U-2 Spyplane Replacement Mulled By Lockheed Martin

Airplane Would Likely Not Be An 'Optionally Piloted' Aircraft

The Air Force is set to retire the iconic U-2 surveillance airplane, which first flew in 1955, in 2019, but the mission for the aircraft will likely continue.

To that end, the Lockheed Martin Skunkworks is considering a follow-on aircraft to the U-2 that would be stealthier and have a longer flight time, according to a report posted on the Popular Science website.

And while the U-2 has recently competed with UASs such as the Global Hawk for reconnaissance missions, the presence of a pilot on board the spyplane could be a deterrent to shooting it down. Scott Winstead, Lockheed's head of U-2 Strategic development, opines that a country like North Korea would have no qualms about shooting down an unmanned aircraft, but shooting down an unarmed, manned aircraft is considered an act of war. He added that the U-2 is also often used as a political tool by the U.S. Government.

(image from file)

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com


Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.06.25)

Aero Linx: International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA) We aim to be the most internationally respected independent authority on the subject of Airworthiness. IFA uniquely combi>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.06.25): Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF)

Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) The frequency band between 300 and 3,000 MHz. The bank of radio frequencies used for military air/ground voice communications. In some instances this may >[...]

ANN FAQ: Q&A 101

A Few Questions AND Answers To Help You Get MORE Out of ANN! 1) I forgot my password. How do I find it? 1) Easy... click here and give us your e-mail address--we'll send it to you >[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Virtual Reality Painting--PPG Leverages Technology for Training

From 2019 (YouTube Edition): Learning To Paint Without Getting Any On Your Hands PPG's Aerospace Coatings Academy is a tool designed to teach everything one needs to know about all>[...]

Airborne 05.02.25: Joby Crewed Milestone, Diamond Club, Canadian Pilot Insurance

Also: Sustainable Aircraft Test Put Aside, More Falcon 9 Ops, Wyoming ANG Rescue, Oreo Cookie Into Orbit Joby Aviation has reason to celebrate, recently completing its first full t>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.08.25: Blackshape Test, Risen, Alto NG Sells Out

Airborne 05.07.25: Talon A-2 Hypersonic, FIFI Under Repair, Spirit Furloughs

Airborne-NextGen 05.06.25: AF Uncrewed Fighters, Drones v Planes, Joby Crew Test

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC