Why 'Cold War' Aircraft Are Still Relevant

[Claire.]

U-2 Spy Plane Crash: Why 'Cold War' Aircraft Are Still Relevant Today

A U-2 spy plane that crashed in northern California earlier this week, killing one of the two pilots, focused attention on a normally clandestine aspect of the U.S. military. The U-2 plane has a long and storied history that stretches back to the late 1950s, but how is the reconnaissance aircraft used today?

U-2 planes have been flown by the United States and other nations for more than 60 years, as both a spy plane and an instrument of science. They key to the aircraft's longevity is its robust and efficient design, said Richard Aboulafia, vice president of analysis at Teal Group Corp., which conducts research and analysis on the aerospace and defense industry. He added that Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, the man who designed the U-2, "got it right."

Read more: Live Science

[Vorg]

Nice reading.

[+and-then]

I remember watching a piece on this aircraft where one of the pilots mentioned that the thing actually leaked oil when it was on the ground.  It had to be in flight before all the joints tightened up enough to stop that   The skin gets VERY hot, apparently.

[Poppi]

You mean the SR71 Blackbird- And Then.

Good topic...China has a large number of old Mig's. Would not be surprised if many have been converted into drones. A massed attack of drones could overwhelm defensive measures by sheer numbers.

Propeller aircraft still play their part in 2nd/3rd world countries as counter insurgent weapons platforms/electronic spying...their purchase/operational costs are a fraction of their jet counterparts.

Looks like airships might be making a comeback too...able to loiter for days.