U2 Dragon Lady

[ALB437]

Imagery intelligence - a key component.Remain on the safe side!

[giantscale]

Trouble is, the U-2 isn't getting any faster or low observable. It got shot down in the 60's, whose to say that in a full blown conflict between the US and another technologically well equiped country more won't be shot down even around the periphery of the battle?! This is where the SR-71 excelled, but the drawback of amazing speed is a very short loitering time. I still prefer the SR-71 as a machine, I think the U-2 lobbyists succeeded in the upgrade cycle whereas the SR-71 sadly missed out.

[ajaf1656]

The U-2 is often deployed during natural disasters. For example it was deployed to survey the damage after Hurricane Katrina.

[coldwar2008]

well said

[StadikKling]

ALLAN2177,

NASA utilizes a version of the U-2, the ER-2, for a variety of missions the focus on studying the environment and atmosphere. I would say that benifits mankind.

The U-2 also helped save 1,000,000's of lives though it's service during the cold war, by preventing the USSR from invading the West. Thus, countless Europeans (your ancestors included) did NOT join the Tens of millions of Soviet Citizans killed by the leaders of thier own contry.

SO FUCK OFF AND DIE, DIRTY HIPPY!!!!

[nkx1]

The U2 saved millions of lives? Really?

It is virtually ridiculous to assert that the USSR forwent invasion of western European countries because of the U2. If there were any deterrent involved, it would have been threat of nuclear retaliation, not the U2. Furthermore, how do you know the USSR would have invaded western Europe anyway?

Also, the bulk of Soviet citizens were murdered under Stalin who died in 1953, not subsequent leaders.

Please direct your ignorant comments elsewhere.

[StadikKling]

Sorry I was not clear enough, numbskull. No, the U2 did not as a DIRECT DETERRENT prevent the USSR from invading the west. The U-2 went a HELL OF A LONG WAY in understanding the nature of the threat (look up bomber gap).

Conquering Western Europe was always a goal of the Sovite Union. How'd it go for the Poles? 600,000 Poles deported to Kazakhistan, about 100,000 to 150,000 of whom died;about 200,000 Polish victims of Soviet occupation and repression in total, between 1939 and 1945.

[nkx1]

The U2 served neither as a direct OR indirect deterrent to potential USSR invasions. Im pretty sure an invasion would be obvious without the U2. The bomber gap has nothing to do with any of this.

Also, the USSR invasion of Poland occurred during WWII, prior to the advent of the U2.

Fact is, the U2 is/was just a spy plane; a tool used by the US to attempt to monitor Soviet activities.

In conclusion, the U2 has not saved millions of lives as you incorrectly previously stated.

[StadikKling]

Any tool used by the US to attempt to monitor Soviet activities by definition helped prevent Soviet agression. You are the U-2 are both TOOLS!

Poland was mentioned to point out the joys of Soviet occupation - I never said the U-2 had anything to do with that.

An invasion would be obvious without the U2? Hardly. How else does one detect preparations for war deep inside a closed society?

[nkx1]

"Any tool used by the US to attempt to monitor Soviet activities by definition helped prevent Soviet agression." By YOUR definition. By any reasonable/rationale person's definition, that is not the case.

"I never said the U-2 had anything to do with that [Poland]". Then why mention it?

"An invasion would be obvious without the U2? Hardly. How else does one detect preparations for war deep inside a closed society?" I meant the invasion itself would be obvious.

[TacticalWrench]

Lockheed17 -- I have a feeling I might know you. Did you work in the 13th?

[LOCKHEED17]

besides by helping kill it is actually saving innicent lives!

[ALLAN2177]

thanks mate

[chchchuckles]

I agree. How about a plane that would find children in Applachian Mountains without food or TB shots? Or homeless people in the gutters? That would help, not just killing others.

[LOCKHEED17]

fuck you hippy.

[ALLAN2177]

How about creating some plane that can found where are people needing help, food, care, company... ? ? ? ? ?

and not some plane searching something to destroy ?

[4Skunky]

How would your theoretical plane accomplish such a mission ("some plane that can found where are people needing help, food, care, company"), ALLAN2177? Information gathering capability isn't limited only to use on the battlefield. That's only one of the many possible uses for a platform like the U2. It can be argued that in a conflict, having quality intel can minimize collateral/unintended damage and/or suffering by singling out the military threat. Lucky your taxes don't have to fund it.

[jit8910]

@ALLAN2177

The U-2 has been used during Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti Earthquake, Tsunamis, as well as numerous humanitarian purposes around the world.

[ALLAN2177]

this is scary!!!

[xxxTYPEZEROxxx]

Amazing how long the U-2 has been in service. The legendary U-2, another great acheivement by Kelly Johnson!! It's suprising how much peolpe don't know him and what he has accomplished for the Lockheed Skunkworks program. The greatest plane ever designed by the skunkworks program in my opinion is still the SR-71 Blackbird!!

[4Skunky]

Agreed on both points. SR-71 may be the greatest achievement in aviation (my opinion). Kelly Johnson, to me, is the greatest single figure in military aviation, and his contributions to the US military can't be overstated.

[LOCKHEED2011]

i love u-2s

[lewecca]

rare. lol, not quite what im looking for, haha. il find Bono on another page