GOV/MIL CIA - Remember reports of unusual activity in the skies in the '50s? That was us.

Sleeping Cobra

TB Fanatic
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https://twitter.com/CIA/status/484429844777037824/photo/1
 

Richard

TB Fanatic
the U2 is nothing much cannot give rise to mass UFO sightings, how many flights did they perform anyway, it still is operational but does not give rise to UFO sightings like any high flying jet

the idea that jets are mistaken for UFOs is crap anyway
 

RCSAR

Veteran Member
I thought the U2 was retires decades ago.
I think the SR71 is flown by NASA now and then.

I may be totally wrong
 

Richard

TB Fanatic
I thought the U2 was retires decades ago.
I think the SR71 is flown by NASA now and then.

I may be totally wrong

SR71 retired in 1999, U2 still in limited service

The U-2 remains in front-line service more than 50 years after its first flight despite the advent of surveillance satellites. This is due primarily to its ability to direct flights to objectives at short notice, something that satellites cannot do. The U-2 has outlasted its Mach 3 SR-71 replacement, which was retired in 1998.

http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk/us/products/u2.html

http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk/us/100years/stories/u2.html

U-2S: Unparalleled High Altitude Reconnaissance
The U-2S high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft continues to serve as America’s Sentinel of Peace. Current U-2s are equipped with the latest, most advanced signals intelligence (SIGINT), measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) and imagery intelligence (IMINT) sensors in the Air Force inventory. The U-2 supports intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) requirements in all weather, day or night, with an ability to dynamically task sensors within seconds to collect on emergent, time-critical targets. A Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) linked to the U-2 through various communications architectures plans target decks and processes collection for immediate action. Time-sensitive and highly perishable intelligence is provided to the National Command Authority and theater commanders to enhance situational awareness, identify geo-political warnings and indications, oversee the battlefield, and provide post-strike damage assessments.

While early models of the U-2 began service in the mid-1950s, production of today’s U-2S fleet was completed in the late 1980s. Each U-2S can carry a large, 5,000 pound payload of cameras, sensors and data links. At current utilization rates, it is capable of sustaining service through 2050 and beyond. Key investments over the last 15 years include:
General Electric turbofan engine for increased efficiency and power
Multiple data links including satellite communications
Digital multi-functional display cockpit
Seven-band multi-spectral digital cameras (SYERS-2)
Enhanced radar sensors (ASARS-2)
Enhanced SIGINT sensors
New defensive system
The nation will continue to rely on the U-2 for dependable, accurate and time-sensitive ISR information for decades to come.

If it is still operational in 2050 means that it would have been in service for almost a century!
 
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Housecarl

On TB every waking moment
SR71 retired in 1999, U2 still in limited service

The U-2 remains in front-line service more than 50 years after its first flight despite the advent of surveillance satellites. This is due primarily to its ability to direct flights to objectives at short notice, something that satellites cannot do. The U-2 has outlasted its Mach 3 SR-71 replacement, which was retired in 1998.

http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk/us/products/u2.html

http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk/us/100years/stories/u2.html

Also cheaper/easier to maintain the U-2 (Though not to fly by a long shot! She's called the "Dragon Lady" for a reason!) Also there are the reports of the new "black" aircraft filling the SR-71's role.
 
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