‘I think I can speak for every U-2 pilot when I say that the experience of the first takeoff on the…
U-2
-
-
Military Aviation
Here’s why the Canberra PR 9 had been the best reconnaissance aircraft during early operations in Enduring and Iraqi Freedom
by Dario LeoneBoasting a range of nearly 2000 nautical miles, the aircraft was unique, as no other reconnaissance platform could carry four different…
-
Military Aviation
Impressive video features controlled fire as seen from U-2 Spy Plane’s camera at 70,000 feet
The aircraft is capable of looking at a controlled fire burning near Flagstaff, Arizona, from nearly 70,000 feet. Posted on YouTube…
-
Military Aviation
China complains over doubtful USAF U-2 Spy Plane flight that entered its Naval Exercise Area
by Dario LeoneThe US has been accused by China to have sent a U-2 spy plane into a no-fly zone to “trespass” on…
-
Cold War EraLosses and Aviation SafetyMilitary Aviation
That time a French Mirage III unintentionally buzzed (and scared) a U-2 flying at 65,000ft during a mission aimed to monitor France’s nuclear facilities
by Dario LeoneAfter climbing to an altitude of 45,000ft (13,716m), the French pilot engaged his SEPR booster, which accelerated his Mirage to Mach…
-
Cold War EraMilitary Aviation
The story of the Soviet MiG-19 pilot shot down and killed by Soviet SAMs while he was trying to intercept the already destroyed Francis Gary Powers’ U-2
by Dario LeoneBecause there was no report citing the destruction of Powers’ U-2 the logical conclusion for most of the involved Soviets was…
-
Cold War EraLosses and Aviation SafetyMilitary Aviation
Kamikaze Soviet-Style: the unknown Story of the Su-9 Pilot who was ordered to ram Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 Spy Plane
by Dario LeoneBecause his Sukhoi Su-9 was in ferry configuration, it carried no armament. Seemingly, captain Igor Mientiukov’s task was impossible to fulfill,…
-
Cold War EraMilitary Aviation
This Aircraft was Faster than the SR-71 (Look Closely it’s not a Blackbird)
by Dario LeoneThe A-12 Oxcart was a super-secret, single-seater spy plane and was more secret and much rarer than the SR-71. In fact, the…
-
Aviation HistoryCold War EraMilitary Aviation
60 Years Ago Today, the Surface-To-Air Missile Scored the First Ever Successful Shoot-Down of an Aircraft
by Dario LeoneOn Oct. 7, 1959 an S-75 Dvina surface-to-air missile was fired by China’s People’s Liberation Army 2nd surface-to-air missile battalion and…
-
Military Aviation
Skunk Works Integrates F-35 with U-2 Spy Plane to Provide Early Warning for Ballistic Missile Intercept Test
by Dario LeoneDuring the demonstration, called Project Riot, an F-35 detected a long-range missile launch with its onboard sensors and shared the information…