Didn't even know we were still frequently using the U2, but China is sure griping about it...

Glad to see the old "dragon lady" still in the air, doing her thing.

"China says US U-2 spy plane disrupted its military exercises"

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/asia/china-us-u-2-spy-plane-intl-hnk-scli/index.html

 

The U-2's sensors are mostly side looking now, so they do not have to directly overfly targets. If the Chinese are unhappy, mission accomplished.

 

From what I've read? Think you nailed it.

Just gonna say? Thank goodness for the U2, SR-71, and every bits & bobs otherwise that nobody needs to know about! Aviation wise? Still think the U2 (speaking aircraft only) is such a cool, and rather simple thing. Kinda like tossing a glider WAY the heck up there.

 

They have been continually upgraded, from the J-57 from the F-100 and F102 to J-75 engines without afterburner from the F-105/106, and then with the B-2 F-118 turbofans. Needless to say, the F-118 is much more fuel efficient and pilot endurance now makes my eyes water. Especially in a full pressure suit. They flew with us out of Taif in Saudi Arabia and stayed up a long, long time.

 

They’re just upset that they can’t fly up there and run into it!

 

My recollection is that there are around 30 left in the fleet. A guy I work with came to us from U-2s and it’s interesting to hear about though not sure it’s something I would wanna do. Wearing what is essentially a flight suit for long hours in a cramped cockpit with a weird catheter thing to pee in doesn’t sound like much fun.

 

For an quick look at U2 flight:

 

The -101 engine finally gave the pilot a FADEC after all those years, which was a huge improvement. I was always amazed to see them in depot maintenance torn down. No main wing spar carry through structure in the fuselage. Just 8 bolts attaching each wing if I recall.

 

What matters is how big those bolts are. The 707 wing was attached by 4 bolts but they were as big around as milk bottles. I'll bet that those 8 bolts attached to a beefy forged bulkhead ring. It's all in the engineering.