Air Force delays U2 Retirement

[Trans_23]

I didn't even know they were scheduled to be retired....

http://www.military.com/news/article/air-force-delays-retiring-u2-spy-plane.html?ESRC=airforce-a.nl

[Allen]

The U2 is right up there with the B-52. There old but no one can make any better. If they think they can, it cost twice as much as the do.

[jmig]

I didn't even know they were scheduled to be retired....

http://www.military.com/news/article/air-force-delays-retiring-u2-spy-plane.html?ESRC=airforce-a.nl

I thought they were? I thought only NASA still used them?

[Railrunner130]

Lockheed built the USAF a bunch of new U-2s in the 80's. They were called TR-1s, so that people would think they're new. They were eventually renamed U-2R and not too long ago were re-engined with the same engine as the F-117. This made an S model out of them.

The USAF volunteered them and the F-117 to the boneyard as a sacrifice under BRAC. Now, they're rethinking the U-2 part of it.

[Bjoern]

Let's see when they'll dig out the SR-71...again. :d