Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance ops, RAF Fairford, England [4K]
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Their mission is entirely secret, but these jets have been flying daily from RAF Fairford for many months, often two aircraft a day under the callsign BLACK. Missions last all day, as can be seen in this video. The video was shot in March 2022
However, it's no secret that USAF and RAF RC-135s have been flying daily missions from RAF Mildenhall (using the callsign JAKE) and RAF Waddington (using the callsign ASCOT). The RC-135 missions have been augmented by NATO E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft flying from Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany. These flights can be openly tracked on various websites such as adsbexchange.com.
Throughout the war in Ukraine, surveillance and intelligence gathering has been continuing at pace as Putin fails to make advances in the country. Every single move Putin is making is being tracked, monitored and recorded by the west. I’ve said it before, but Putin does not stand a chance. These guys will see to that.
For those familiar with my channel, you'll have seen other videos of these fantastic aircraft, complete with various pods and sensors. The U-2 is THE Swiss army knife of reconnaissance. There is a great article on the various modular fittings for the U-2 that can be found here - jalopnik.com/a-spotters-guide...
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#avgeek #aviationlovers #aviation #aviationdaily #WeAreNATO #SecureTheSkies - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
I don't know too much about these planes, but I do know I sleep better at night knowing these folks are on it.
the shot of it landing was remarkably beautiful. the moon, the black jet backlit in the orange sky, beautiful.
Thanks Bjorn. I waited until late and got really lucky!
How did it keep its balance in landing with underwing supports dropped off while taking off?
i once watched a tv show on this aircraft. it tipped onto its wing on purpose, I presume they replace pads on the tips of the wing? there will be pilots that probably dream of landing and balancing on the undercarriage.
@@shaun906 I am not shure but I think there is a person in that chase car that grabs the wingtip as the plane slows down.
@@dannyleung2796 That's what those chase vehicles are for. The wings are so exquisitely well balanced, that the plane is close to a dead stop before one wing touches the ground.
Oh how I wish my Dad was still alive to sit in this aircraft ... 32 years Naval officer (Aviation Combat Specialist)... He'd be on the edge of his seat for sure. RIP Dad I'm sure you do see it 🙏🇺🇸💪🇺🇸🙏
Thank you to your Dad for freedom. By their stripes we are healed. 💜🙏🌌
God bless you and your dad is for sure in heaven, coming down to fly in the skies with the U-2. Surprise to see the U-2's still flying to this day. Also love to see the F-14 make a comeback, Super Tomcat.
I know what you mean my dad was a tail Gunner on a B-52 in Vietnam
That plane has been around for about 50 years.
@ Whatever. Unless his dad served in WW I he saw one.
Worked on them from 93 to 2001 at Osan, Beale and Alconbury. Glad to see them still going strong.
Nice! Thanks for the comment, and for your service 😎👍
colleague was stationed there in the 90's, he told me the troops stationed there referred to it as RAF Alcatraz. True?
@@markmagiera6115 I was there in the mid 90's right before it closed. Only spent 4 months and had a great time. Had just spent a year in Korea prior so Alconbury seemed better than that experience. Wasn't aware of the nickname at the time.
I was a weather officer at Osan. Great times there. Make love and war was our fav sign in the Officer’s Club…
@@joginns778 Same premise as an embassy.
Can’t believe that the engineering after ww2 is so good it still exists in this modern world, the engineers and design teams were truly ahead of time in those days. Well done guys.
Necessity if you know what I mean. It's amazing what you can come up with when the whole world is on fire.
@@Achromania so we might need another WW to advance our techs faster?
Lol…just kidding
we beat the Russians with B 52's in 1990. Those bombers are scary enough even today.
During WW2 bro.
In those days, individuals with a specialist team could do something earth shattering, such as Kelly Johnson. Barnes Wallace deserves a mention although he worked on the wrong side of the pond. :)
67 years old and still flying. RIP Kelly Johnson.
Introduced in 1957, this workhorse sneaky bird has a long history - almost as long as the B-52!
Thanks for showing this excellent video. More eyes in the sky. Great stuff!
It's hard to believe these are still in service after Russia dropped Powers like a duck six decades ago. I assumed the Blackbird had replaced the primitive U2. Like the B-52 it is scary to think we plan to use these slow, long obsolete weapons in actual war with any modern air force. Ours says we are 15+ years behind Russian technology and this is a prime example. We should already have drones faster than an SR-71 eliminating pilots flying defenseless, unmanueverable targets like the U2 dinosaur
@@erichkorman710 how are these obsolete?
My father was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford from 1960-1962. Our house on base was on the outskirts of this huge open field which the U2s used as an approach for landing on the runway the distant side beyond a road. I can still vaguely remember waving at the pilots as the planes lazily flew low over the field .. close enough you could see the colors on the helmets and even had a pilot wave back once. That was 1961 .. over 60 years ago.
Thanks for dropping in Edward, and for sharing your memories 👍
My old man was a Test Pilot for the RAAF - after doing the 3 year Flight Course in England, after flying Mustangs in the Korean War. So like you, we lived on Airforce bases, but in Australia. In 1960 to 1962, a number of U2's were also stationed at Laverton RAAF Base in Victoria where we had a house right across from the runways. I was always out there watching as there were also Vampires & Sabres & Canberra bombers & even Mirage. We certainly got to know a few of the American Airmen & their families. In 1969, we were posted to America for 5 years, while dad ran the F-111 program for the RAAF. That's where I spent my teenage years. But I always recall the noise of a U2 taking off. Very impressive to this day. Cheers.
The USA would have been the greatest country on Earth if it's history didn't begin with slavery, the genocide of native Americans and the long list of unjust wars and military could around the world. The US has a great army, great people with corrupt and wicked government. The Bible calls the US army in Revelation 13 the beast that no country dares to go to war against.
Genesis 15:13-14 has been fullfilled and as it is said: America AKA Babylon the Great is fallen. By 2024 things will collapse. The US won't be able to go to war anymore after blaming Russia. Next time America goes to war China will likely invade Taiwan. The US has lost its moral authority and has been electing the worst presidents for the past decade.
Babylon is fallen .
@@monmalin What a load of rubbish. This Planet could have been the greatest in the solar system - if it hadn't been for the invention of stupid gods to control the non thinking masses of this planet.
@@jimcottee9187 Nope you a wrong. Look inside you. Wars are not initiated by gods. It is those who control money that create wars. All wars are fought in order to make money or to prevent your wealth to be stolen. Humans will listen and accept any type of job if it involves lots of money. Most people join the army for the job opportunity. Most people are ok when their cou try is stealing from others. Ex: those who partook in slavery made a lot of money and they convinced those who didn't have slaves to hate the black man. Because most accepted the ways of the rich white man, racism still exist. The love of money is the root of all evil.
A prayer from me to keep all the men and woman doing this marvelous work safe.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏from ,Auckland, New Zealand too. GOD BLESS YOU ALL,FLY SAFE,FLY FREE.
I work near Fairford. No one complains about the noise! They are quite loud but that is amazing to witness.
I'm astounded this plane still flies.
Such an amazingly beautiful aircraft, I have no words... (just sitting with an open mouth and making gurgling sounds of joy)
A mystical Aura surrounds these U2s a truly unique plane with a long history.Thx for the great footage👏👏👏
Thanks for the comment bud 👍
Just wish the Blackbirds were back in service as well. Fastest spyplanes ever built though costly. Gotta love the SR-71s. 👍👍👍🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
The high-altitude eye in the sky, riding the coffin corner. We probably won't see another Gary Powers, given Russia has become really shite at what it does.
Pity it can't drop munitions right on top of Mad Vlad rasPutin's head.
@@timothyhenegar7484 yes I agree I was fortunate to see one flying at Greenham common IAT in 1983 I will never forget it.They have one at Duxford museum nothing compares to the SR71 for sure.👏👏👏
Why. Just because of the noise? Lol
Oh! MAGIC. I could never get enough of watching U2 s take off,and,land,when I served at RAAF Laverton. They were the most beautiful thing I had seen,at that time. USAF WRS Squadron..{Weather Reconnaissance Squadron} Still make my hair bristle.
Crowflight..Hicat
No joke! WTF was that? I’ve never in my life seen a plane like that
@UCTUS008Q-gXp47iL9MVjKFQ my first question would be! Who told you, you could land here and why?
La verdad no
Holy shit. I had no idea that these were even still in active service
They are indeed 😎
With its age it's looking increasingly like something put together by a commitee. But, as they say, if it works why fix it?
Ryan,
They won't be in a couple years because the EPA are going to make "better" more eco friendly planes out of coconuts and crab shells 💪
Я в захваті: чудова робота машин підтримки на землі.
I am delighted: the excellent work of support machines on the ground.
You are absolutely mistaken. This war is the war of extra rich hiding bankers against peace-lover people of the Earth. The bankers want total control of people, Russia and China are against this. The bankers first want to weaken Russia then they will go against China. At the end everybody will be a chipped dog.
That rate of climb is stunning!
I saw one take off from Hickman HI years ago. It converted me to a U-2 fan right there. Looks so dainty until they pour on the power and it roars up and away.
They are stationed in Christchurch New Zealand once in a while for the Antarctic ozone programme. 72,000 feet in a couple of minutes and holy shit they are loud 😳😳
I Watch U2's Taking Off Daily In Northern California. The US Is Guarding The West Coast And Alaska Constantly! What A Beautiful Sight When Taking Off! I Love The USA! ✌️🇺🇲✌️😎
We are living in the best country in the world, god always bless USA
Love seeing the "dragonlady" with all her new, "special" improvements!
Given how difficult these things are to fly, these daily long endurance missions are even more incredible. The toll this takes on the 2 crew members is immense. Keep those lungs in good condition guys!
Meh.... if you've flown one plane you can fly then all, it's just taking off, fly around, and land, Piper Cub or SR-71 the principle is the same, wings/engine/radio/altimeter, big deal.
actually i'm over Ukraine right now, in my spy balloon, just a little fun, always been awestruck at how that old technology works so well today
Operational U-2 is a single seat aircraft. The 2-seaters (I think there are only 3?) are for training & evaluation.
@johnny horizon I think I was basing it on the SR-71! Lol!
@@johnnyhorizon8368 I listened to a great podcast featuring a U-2 pilot trainer. He's an epic guy!
Strangely Beautiful Aircraft😍
The fact that this ting is still lurking in the skies give me a great feeling!
Another Skunk Works / Kelly Johnson beauty. Functionally exquisite and technically beautiful
I'm proud to be British good job lads keeping our sky's and others safe xx
I agree but You realise these are the Americans keeping us safe
@@xoJOBYox What a foolish text. Educate me.
@@johnnygreenshirt6215 Read what he said and go Figure. If you can't work it out then you are well and truly stupid in which case educating you would be pointless and a waste of time.
Tha article stated NATO, which the US and England are part of, are keeping an eye on things. Everybody is right in this case.
Lol
Awesome video 👍 that aircraft seems to have had some upgrades and it looks new , thank you for your posting 👍
Thanks for the kind words John 👍
The U-2 frame might sounds "old" but I am pretty sure the electro-optics, avionics, and radar have the latest upgrades. What gets me every time is when they land, the guy you believe was a "cook" or "janitor" from the base is the one that pickup the "boxes". I guess they are the "experienced ones" since wearing suits on the airbase will show everybody who they really are.
What boxes?
@@DavidEVogel is just a joke.
@@DavidEVogel It is a spy plane, what do you think they were doing?
the electronics and avionics now has to be Alien like. If they had Cameras that were able to zoom in and see Abe Lincoln's face on a penny at 75,000 feet back in the 60's, just imagine what they have now
@@rocklouis2904 They have advanced to the point where we can put a X-raid target and a missle will destroy the target while obtaining the facial recognition patterns. lol, no telling what they have,
Thank you, USAF 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
Most pilots would think that landing was WAY long...but RAF Fairford has a nearly 10,000 ft long runway so the Dragon Lady did indeed land on the proverbial first 1/3rd of usable. Due to the length of Fairford's runway it was an alternate when the Space Shuttle used to fly.
I'd imagine it takes a special touch to get it on the ground. I understand there's a very fine line between slow enough to touch town and stalling.
@@pawpawstew I'm a pilot although I never flew the U2. The wings are huge, which means it wants to stay airborne which can make it difficult to land. The flip side is it has a very low landing speed, which is good news and bad news. A nice calm day it should be easy breezy, a windy day could make it a beast. They fly primarily at night so landing is usually in calm weather. I'd give it a go! lol
Cool, Last time I saw one of these U2's was during my years at Edwards Air Base. They are very impressive on take offs.
Beautifully done video with a number of brilliant clips. (That moon low in the sky over the tower for one.)
U2's are graceful, well... except that landing bit... and photogenic, you've done them justice with some very good shots (i.e. perfectly positioned to catch and frame the approach, landing, and the chase car.) It doesn't hurt that the sky and moon cooperated for much of it.
Well done.
Thanks a lot for the kind comments Paulie 👍👍👍
52 years ago I watched a U-2 takeoff and do the same high-angle climb at U-Tapao AFB, Thailand. It had been introduced 14 years before that!
NICE Take off! Best Bird! I loved my very best ten years with U S Navy Coronado And Camp Pendleton. My dad had 2 qualifications with US Army WW2 sharp shooter and engineer. We have military 100 years our families before. USAF Rotc
Happy to see the support across nations
The U.S military operation is unmatched in this world when i see the preparation with these machines, that, the B-52, B2 and the Drones. I saw a fly by, under the belly, of a b52, b2 with some F22 escort, it was a thing of beauty and looked mighty scary.
Your shot of the rising moon was * chef's kiss *. Glad you stayed late and kept filming👍
Thanks my friend. Thanks for the kind words 👍
The U2 is a masterpiece
I used to watch the U2's taking off at what used to be RAF Sculthorpe. It's closed down now, apart from the runway which is used for training. But for a period of time some U2's were based there while the runway at their base was resurfaced. The sight of these U2's though, taking off and more or less going vertical was an amazing sight. The amount of lift on those wings created was amazing. I doubt if we will ever see the likes again. If only we could turn back the clock.
Lovely video. Those pilots are so brave & they do their job to keep us safe.
You are absolutely mistaken. This war is the war of extra rich hiding bankers against peace-lover people of the Earth. The bankers want total control of people, Russia and China are against this. The bankers first want to weaken Russia then they will go against China. At the end everybody will be a chipped dog.
Had the privilege of seeing one up close take off from Moffet Field Naval Base, CA in the 1980's.
My mama use to say, "if you ain't doing anything wrong then you have nothing to worry about."
I did not know the U2 was still in service. It looks like they have been upgraded quite a bit. The U-2 is 67 years old. I had never seen one with that module on top. It seems this is the U-2S (which they have 24 of) with the Senior Span/Spur communications suite. They were supposed to be decommissioned in 2020 and the role taken over by the Global Hawk reconnaissance drone, but instead they decided to extend its service and upgrade them instead. The upgrades starting in 2019 and should be finished. It looks crazy impressive. It already has a range of 7-8,000 miles and a max altitude of 70-80,000 feet and goes Mach .7 and the pilot has to endure missions of 12-14 hours. It seems they can even refuel them in air and launch them from a carrier. This thing is 15 years older than I am and I have a grandchild.
In case you are curious... this is the info on the new upgrades...
"The latest version of SYERS-2, the SYERS-2C, is a 10-band multi-spectral camera that has traditional electro-optical and infrared capabilities, but can also build images based on the electromagnetic signatures that different objects produce. The most up-to-date ASARS-2, the ASARS-2A, is a mechanically-scanned array radar that produces imagery based on the reflection of those waves.
The full Senior Glass system is actually capable of collecting intelligence on a variety of very different signals. The Senior Spear equipment, which fits inside one of the aircraft’s two Super Pods can spot and monitor enemy communications. The Senior Ruby gear, which goes in the other pod, can locate and categorize hostile radar emissions. An antenna farm along the belly adds additional capabilities, which could include spying on different data streams and the ability to more accurately geo-locating the source of a transmission.
Lockheed Martin’s Tri-INT arrangement would consolidate the signals intelligence systems into just one Super Pod, and potentially elsewhere along the fuselage, and fit a multi-spectral camera under the other wing. This could be the SYERS-2C, but the firm told FlightGlobal it would prefer to use United Technologies Aerospace Systems’ (UTAS) 10-band MS-177A, which sits inside a rotating turret and is therefore more flexible.
Raytheon’s ASARS-2B would go in the nose. Though this radar shares a basic nomenclature with the older unit, it is essentially an all-new, active-electronically scanned array (AESA) design that scans faster and is more powerful and precise, producing better imagery, quicker. It also has a ground moving target indicator capability to track moving vehicles or potentially help the pilot refine their search area based on those tracks. The Air Force already plans to spend more than $215 million on development of ASARS-2B between 2019 and 2023.
It is also in the process of adding the older seven-band MS-177 camera on the RQ-4 and wants to begin installing the improved A model, along with other upgrades to those unmanned aircraft, in the near future as well. Lockheed Martin could propose the Air Force expand its purchases of MS-177As to include additional units to go into upgraded U-2s.
Lockheed Martin will still have to either develop or otherwise locate a compact signals intelligence suite that offers equal or better capabilities to Senior Glass to complete its proposed Tri-INT U-2S package. Lastly, the updated planes would feature additional and modernized data links, including multi-function advanced data links (MADL) or similar functionality to allow the Dragon Ladies to communicate with stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which can themselves vacuum up an impressive amount of intelligence data, and B-2 Spirit bombers in near real time.
Coupled with a device Lockheed Martin calls the “Einstein Box,” which acts as a gateway for various data streams, the high-flying spy planes could be able to fuse different information together and otherwise help provide other aircraft, personnel on the ground or at sea, or analysts back at base a more complex “picture” of the battlefield."
My brother-in-law was based at Fairford during the Cuba crisis.
Technology at its best. So beautiful
Kelly Johnson & Co. genius brains…
It's hard to believe that the U2 is still flying obviously it has been upgraded over the decades but the original design is still visible,
Could be just an old video before the U-2 spies jet plan was retiring.
2:00 jeez, that thing soared up fast
The Dragon Lady has wings that have to generate lift at 70,000 feet, where the air is ridiculously thin. At sea level and normal atmospheric pressure, the amount of lift you get from those same wings is beyond ridiculous.
Take-off in 11 seconds from a standing start
Growing up in the 1960's in Albuquerque NM we as kids used to watch U-2's flying over head day and night. They made a very distinct low speed sound. I think they were stationed at Kirkland AFB. My Dad at the time had just gotten out of the Air Force and had a job as a Mechanical Engineer at Sandia Base with the old Atomic Energy Commission. We lived there from 1959- 1969.
Thank's for this great video!
Thanks for dropping by 👍
I hear these are one of the hardest planes to fly after a Harrier jump jet.
Yes, the coffin corner issue is unbelievably tight at that altitude
It’s a very special plane to fly. 🇺🇸
❤️ RAAF Laverton
Jet sailplanes are friggin cool. It's kinda crazy how the pogo gear just sort of skids and scrapes along after the wings get airborne.
Wow, I met a guy at Airspace America airshow, he gave me a book about the "Black Rainbow". Never thought I'd see a real one in commission. Back in May 1988.
Great video and still a great looking aircraft in an unconventional way. The eye in the sky see’s all.
Thanks man!
Damn those things pick up speed fast on the runway and the wings lift up half way down runway Awesome footage,thanks for posting GOD bless our warriors of the skys,Best wishes to you all, from, Auckland, New Zealand. Love and Respect.
Cheers dude! 😎
Awesome stuff and Wow that moon sight was great ,,excellent video!
Thanks a lot ;)
Fantastic footage, thanks for sharing
Thank you too Andrew!
Absolutely beautiful Dragon Ladies! They are in other undisclosed bases in Europe and the Mid-East. I have seen them up close at Beale at various airshows there since I live in a small town nearby. Putin does not stand a chance between these planes and satellites.
American Empire is on its last death throes.
Thanks Steven for your comment. It means a lot to us all. Have a beautiful day. Pray each moment for All Ukrainian people the world over. Marx, Putin is like Lenin Stalin. He tells his Army and accuses to his people, we Slavic Ukrainians are Nazi. He should have never started Crimea and this war. Pathetic. He needed a sub base and Black sea Naval outlet and beaches for Russian people 2014. It's all so Wrong! Killing Anyone PERIOD
@@baruasafi5880 yeah sure Putin well prevail right he well denazify the world and bring peace and harmony.
@@baruasafi5880 you must be crazy if you think that..the US is stronger than ever and will stay strong..💪🏾
@@mbbravo5224 How many empires came and went down with arrogance into the dustbin of history? They all believed that they were invincible and not subject to divine laws of time. Just as the British Empire was evil to the core committing crimes across the globe and so is the American Empire. One similarity between the two was their defiance of divine law. How the British Empire disappeared is is the way the American Empire and so will the western civilization in general. Unfortunately it will go down with billions of humanity. There's no doubt that the coming war will involve the use of weapons of mass destruction and a large part of humanity will be decimated.
Worked with SAC with the U2R at DMAFB being deployed to SEA numerous times OL20 operations the U2 is one of the most amazing Acft ever produced Kelly Johnson on Skunk Works
It truly is, I still can't believe that an air breathing aircraft can operate over twice as high as airliners fly! Kelly Johnson is one of my all time heroes, father of the P-38, P-80, F-104, U-2, and my favourite aircraft of all time the mighty SR-71
My brother was a nav on AWACS, and one of our family friends was a U2 pilot. Apparently you can clearly see the curvature of the earth at altitude. My bro worked on a U2 crew, and the pilot said that he fell asleep for 8 hours on a mission. Apparently they are VERY LOUD!
A masterpiece of engineering.
What a beautiful beast of an aircraft!
Also unmanned Global Hawks based in Sicily equally valuable flying daily around the region and Black sea as Forte10 and Forte11. Lockheed EP-3 flying over Romania aswell. It appears UK and US are taking it in turns to fly refuelling missions over Romania daytime hours at 25000ft. Also RC135 Rivets from RAF and USAF have been doing recon in the area too. On U2s many years ago I saw a U2 on low flight path flying into Mildenhall/ Lakenheath. It was at night and very dark and low, I could not make out the plane but it wasn't noisy. The only reason I knew it was a U2 was one wing was over here >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it might be black and at night but it was obvious.
Ahhh yes I forgot about the Global Hawks. Eyes everywhere! Thanks for the great comment 👍
Yeah Global Hawks are monitoring situation in Ukraine too. Not only they fly in Romana but in Poland too. I also saw RAF boeing and of course lots of stratotankers above Poland.
Yeah I’ve been tracking them , at least the ones they let you see on commercial stuff . There is also Dutch tankers that regular fly in from Eindhoven and stooge around for a few hours .
There’s also the NATO AWACS And both RAF and American radar communications and SIGINT craft .
Interestingly enough on the commercial channels you never see anything going up to them to refuel but I think we can guess what’s flying around up there that needs refuelling .
@@steveosborne2297 yeah sometimes on radar app you can See 2 stratotankers in the air above Poland, but no indication about what they are here for.
@@Watcher4111 Yeah literally I just checked there’s the Dutch tanker flying in Polish guys just to the north west of Ukraine and there is an American tanker patrolling along the Moldovan and southern Ukrainian border .
And I see we have a NATO AWAC patrolling along the Moldovan border as well .
We’ve also got a few chinook’s and Blackhawks about today in Poland .
Great video......
I noticed over the last few days that there have been Sentry' flying out of Turkey into Romania and along the borders of Moldova and Ukraine. Even the Swedish airforce has been involved with a flight today along the Polish and Ukrainian border. Putin really had no idea that the west was going to mobilise so much hardware in support of Ukraine and it shows in the devastation that his forces continue to suffer at the hands of a well motivated nation 👏 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦
F VP
Alistair so nice to read your comment. Thank you.
@@rexharrisen5387 thanks, such a shame that so many innocent people on both sides are having to suffer because of one man's paranoia!
How do you know that he had no idea. Maybe he doesn't give a crap.
@@kpadmirer Putin has nukes, lots of them.
Love it, i watched TR1 at raf alconbury 1980s
That second takeoff sounded frickin awesome. Wish they had a u2 for fs2020
Cool that these U-2's are still flying reconnaissance and nice that the USAF brought a Charger over to Europe as a chase car for the U-2 :)
I was just thinking, I worked 20 years in civil aviation and never saw a ground ops vehicle move like that!
@@justinneill5003 The driver was thinking here is my chance to see what this car has!! Very cool!
Great content !
Thanks Jim 👍
Quite interesting take off. THX
Great video... thank you.
you're welcome Terry, thanks for dropping by ;)
Such advanced technology this plane is cutting edge definitely not 70 years old
Incredible video, 👍
Thanks for watching 👍
Gorgeous sound. The U2 is older than me & I am not a youngster.
Wow so beautiful,Well done!
Gary Powers would like this.
Awesome Aircraft, the lift it achieves is incredible. Is this a Skunk works machine like the Blackbird? Great upload 👍
Yes pre-dates Blackbird by several decades!
Another plane they got right the first time. B-52 is another.
@@Tocsin-Bang to pre-date the Blackbird by several decades is an astonishing feat of design!
Kelly Johnson was one hell of a good engineer
@@Tocsin-Bang The SR-71 made it's first flight 8 years after the U-2 made its' first flight; the U-2 in 1956 and the SR-71 in 1964. It is beyond astonishing how ahead of their time Skunk Works was and still is.
That is without a doubt, the loudest plane we have. Thank God it's cruising at 75000 feet and no one can hear it 🤣
I can clearly remember going for a ride in the chase car not the long ago to help guide the Ol Dragon Lady in for her landing.
That must have been an amazing ride! Such a privilege to do that! 😎
Excellent
Thanks u.s.for helping Ukraine and allied countries god bless.
Those wing are ridiculously cool!
This vid is such good quality, and so stylish. The photographer obviously has an artistic bent.........!
Thanks bud, appreciate the feedback ;)
First introduced in the 1950's, yet still flying usefully today. Incredible engineering.
Absolutely incredible and still rocking it today, amazing to think that they operate at 80,000ft+ on a routine basis
I remember the U2 flying at RAAF Laverton Australia in the early 60s when I was in the RAAF. Off at about 9.30 in the morning and back about 3.30 in the afternoon. Never knew where they flew to as that was always top secret. Was so amazed how they climbed so fast and then disappeared. Not long after that the RB-57s turned up and the U2s disappeared.
Seems odd to be starting for any mission from Melbourne, when the intended route must(?) be north, when airfields are available near the northern coast?
With Guam and Diego Garcia, what advantage is there to flying from ( southern ) Australia?
I am struggling to find a reason for such an expensive bit of kit going to RAAF Laverton!
mission was probably to spy on China and/or North Korea
@@rocklouis2904 Guam is a lot closer!
I cannot see the point of starting near the southern coast of Australia!
Unless they were looking for something in the Indian or southern Pacific Ocean?
@@zen4men i just checked, yeah you're right, maybe just routine carpet surveillance of the area, even if it's starting point from Australia. That plane has a long range doesn't it so from Australia to the North Korea or China is almost like nothing, probably does that in a short few hours or less in no time to get back to study some films and go out for some more recon. Just assuming.
It was weather research from memory. The 57’s we’re definitely going South . I saw the U2’s at Laverton & the RB-57’s. After they took off they we’re definitely going South . I was very young but I remember my dad talking about it . If they needed to fly north they definitely would have have gone out of Guam or Kadina in Japan, where the SR-71’s were later based.
Beautiful footage of the landing agreed. always good to get back home..... grab a drink and celebrate a job well done..... thanks to all the service people who make these flights possible!
Thanks Marc 👍
I found this video inspiring for my latest. Love the title aha! What great fun.
Thanks man! Keep up the great content😎👍
@@UKAviationMovies Appreciate it!
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you. - The Police : I'll be watching you.
This should be the official theme song of the squadron hahahah
And every mass Grave you make ask the Serbs?
Breathe deep! ...... Relax! ...... Be inspired! ...... Be True!
My personal mantra.
/
" I'll be watching you" is a great song.
Take-off in 11 seconds from a standing start
A lot of lift from that Wingspan
@@DaveL188 Indeed it is!
I was amazed at the comeback after Francis Gary Powers was shot down in the cold war and the RS 71 became the go to bird. From what I have read the U2 can be very tricky to fly because of the narrow parameters dictated by the wing configuration.
I've heard that as well. Amazing how much skill it takes to fly inside that narrow envelope between stall and wing flutter with this bird.
A U2 pilot got lost over the Arctic when the aurora meant he could not get his celestial shots [yes, with a sextant] .
Problem was this was the WORST day of the Cuba Missile Crisis and he strayed into Russian airspace. He made it back, a boy's own yarn.
Very cool. I’ve never seen the U2 in video. It seems to have a very fast climb rate for such a big bird.
It sure does! Surprisingly noisy too!
What a beautiful aircraft!!!!!. I thought these were all retired.
Yes, interesting. Wonder if satellites are being jammed?
the U2 is one of the very few aircraft who can reach the edge of space.
Before satelites it was the only form of information gathering from the edge of space without using balloons.
They are also relative small and stealthy and can gather inteligence by listening in from a wide horizon.
Modern tech makes them even more capable of gathering info.
Our former NATO RNAF 306 air recon squadron had special build F16's with strenghtenend centerlines to cary the very heavy high res. foto (imax size) recon pod.
Nowadays that same can be done by mounting a digital fire estinguesher size pod on any NATO aircraft.
RNAF 306 is now a full drone surveilance squadron
Those aircraft don't have the operational ceiling or the range of a U2.
@@rayjames6096 correct thats why the U2 is still in service.
@@obelic71 During the Falklands war the US moved a military satellite from its northern hemisphere position to the south Atlantic to monitor the Argentinian airforce.
What about the UK's reconnaissance? I think we have an old bi-plane somewhere and a torch for night operations.
Just a handful of RC-135Ws and P-8s 😎
The noise the Dragon Lady makes is Absolutely awesome, sound to my ears, the roar on take off is just Pure Awesomeness. IN GOD WE TRUST ALL OTHERS WE MONITOR 🐲 🐉
I agree Stuart. Such an awesome sound :D
The wings these birds have are really efficient!
By NATO watching u mean the Yanks and the Brits.
And the NATO E-3s flying from Germany 👍
No he meant Serbs haha
Since they lose the wing gear at takeoff, what replaces that on landing?
Right??!! Thank you, that's the answer I'm on here looking for...how they keep the wings from doing a knuckle drag? Also, why was that white car hauling ass chasing it down the runway after it had landed?
Good Handling and a lot of skill and luck.
My kinda plane ! ....😁. DOING a GREAT JOB !
Sick jet. I've never seen one of these before
The problem with this country and the world as a whole is that doctors and lawyers are seen as the pinnacle…this plane is older than most people watching this video…engineers should be held up in a higher regard than the book readers. Yes im an Engineer, i preferred the day rate over a lawyer or doctor
Correct, there's a difference however ,U2 Crews are incredible individuals,with far higher than normal IQ's plus remarkable flying skills the know;edge and skill requirements of these men is beyond mere lawyers and the average doctor however, the skill requirement includes far more than Top Notch flying skills, Map reading abilities, instrument handling,a massive demand of awareness which would befuddle Lawyers or Doctors. The Greatest.God Bless then all.
Wow, looks like they have extra pods for fuel on the wings, does the center hump hold fuel too? I’m guessing they fly over Poland, Hungry and Slovakia and are looking into Ukraine. I bet they can stay up there for a long time.
No, the pods under the wings are called super-pods, and they can carry extra optical equipment. However, they are usually carrying the Senior Glass (Air Force code name for the three systems together as a whole: Senior Spear, Senior Ruby and Senior Glass), which is a collection of reconnaissance gear for…
- Signals Intelligence (SIGINT, intercepting signals such as encrypted data streams)
- Communications Intelligence (COMINT, radio calls)
- Electronic Intelligence (ELINT, things like enemy radar emissions)
All can geolocate what they pick up. Then, if they are looking for COMINT, SIGINT and/or ELINT, the U-2 can upload the data found in near real-time through the large, ridge shaped device attached on the dorsal spine of the aircraft (sticking up on the top of the U-2). It’s a satellite uplink for the pilot to relay findings back to the ground (or to another aircraft) called - if they are sending back Senior Glass data - Senior Span. If they are sending back optical data (images), it looks about the same, but is a Senior Spur satellite uplink.
No fuel in the super-pods, but even so, owing to it being essentially a jet powered glider, it still has very long range. Looking at those U-2’s taking off, it looks to me both are carrying ASARS2 (the elongated nose with a cooling scoop on top), which houses a pair of advanced electronically scanned radar arrays that allows them to peer well over 100 miles into enemy territory while orbiting in safe sky), the full Senior Glass set, which includes Senior Spear COMINT installation in the right super-pod, which includes the massive antenna farm underneath the U-2 (all those blade like pieces you see sticking out; they’re antenna for eavesdropping and picking up COMINT); and Senior Ruby installed in the left super-pod for ELINT recon.
Beautiful just beautiful
Awesome