Meet the U-2: The CIA's Secret Spy Plane to Snoop on Russia

The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is an American single-jet engine, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency. It provides day and night, high-altitude (70,000 feet, 21,300 meters), all-weather intelligence gathering.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet the U-2 Dragon Lady
01:04 Cockpit View At 70,000 Feet
02:47 I fly the most difficult aeroplane in the inventory.
04:55 Open Up That Multi-Role Aspect
06:39 Relevant for whatever will come
Other videos you might like:
HH-60G Pave Hawk ► • HH-60G Pave Hawk: A Le...
Most Powerful Helicopter in the World ► • The UH-1Y Venom: Most ...
P-47 Thunderbolt ► • Meet the P-47 Thunderb...
🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO US ► kzbin.info...
Thank You

[@normaluser333]

This plane is over 60 years old and it still looks futuristic af

[@constantinespanos488]

Lunatic engineers, sports fans!!

[@FarmerDrew]

Imagine what they DON'T show us

[@sayanchowdhury6111]

Yes absolutely

[@popuptoaster]

Looks pretty old fashioned to me, which is not a bad thing but it really doesn't look futuristic.

[@borntoclimb7116]

Like sr 71 or xb 70

[@enzoruberto]

I just love how all the descriptions of the upgrades are pretty detailed, but also incredibly vague about what exactly they actually do

[@Observer_Effect]

Yep, and the shows writers/producers don't even have to act coy - they simply don't know!

[@k956upg]

They don’t need to as hunter Biden already sold the plans….next step is to paint the plane in lgbtq+ rainbows & rename it they them dragon person…

[@BliskeroidPlays]

It’s a Reconnaissance aircraft so it does recon missions

[@lemontmartin5802]

​@@BliskeroidPlaysas far as you know or was told right ? Lol

[@BliskeroidPlays]

@@lemontmartin5802 are you tryna say that the u2 was a bomber? it literally has a huge camera to capture images hence being a reconnaissance plane

[@wilecoyote5757]

Many years back I was the captain of a B-757 flying directly between New York City and Mexico City. While out in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico I became aware of an aircraft coming up from due south. He would make periodic position reports and I became convinced this aircraft was a U-2. I asked him what type aircraft he was. He replied that he could tell me but then he would have to kill me. Once while at Edwards AFB I saw a U2 pilot exam. One of the questions was; “What are the procedures for entering controlled airspace from above?” Not something I ever had to know.

[@williamleggett5924]

The threat of death yet what is patriotic and pertinent, even now much is secret or is it.

[@williamleggett5924]

757 d model laser carrying Boeing jet capability of shooting down intercontinental ballistic missiles.

[@gehtdianschasau8372]

Nah dude, that was me, smuggling Kokain.

[@BrushCountryAg06]

Damn that thing can climb a lot faster than I thought.

[@user-zx1fr9ms7k]

fr

[@williamtell5365]

Despite the infamous Powers incident, this was a seriously capable plane that served a heck of a long time

[@originflightstudios2863]

was? served? its still going lol.

[@williamtell5365]

@@originflightstudios2863 yes, true. I was sort of thinking of its heyday. It still has uses.

[@bigchungus1848]

@@williamtell5365 it’s always in its heyday……

[@brysonberrett1496]

Still does,

[@sys3248]

@@originflightstudios2863 as research aircraft yes. Their career as Reconnaissance ends in Cuba.

[@noninoni9962]

I used to watch them practice take offs, with their chase Mustangs close behind... They are literally rockets with wings!! Amazing aircraft!!

[@notaulgoodman9732]

The F-104 is the U-2's daddy and is literally a rocket with wings.

[@BliskeroidPlays]

@@notaulgoodman9732 not at all they are completely differnt type of aircraft. The sr71 is the big daddy to the u2

[@pjcsmo]

I rode along in one of those Mustang SSP chase cars at RAF Alconbury in1988. It was pretty exciting chasing a jet aircraft down a dark runway at over 100 mph. Then the U-2 pilot didn’t stop for the pogos, but “bicycled” the plane all the way to the hangar. “Just showing off” was what the Mustang’s U-2 pilot said!

[@docholliday3273]

LOVE this aircraft. Was stationed a NAS Moffett when NASA was flying the U2 and it was an incredible to watch this aircraft takeoff and land. Little known fact....U2's had the ability to fold or remove the wings for carrier deployment. LM representative showed me this fact at an airshow.

[@sys3248]

It can remove wing for storage, inspection, maintenance, repairs but not Aircraft Carrier Sorties. You're welcome.

[@FarmerDrew]

THAT AIRFRAME IS CARRIER CAPABLE?!!!!??

[@Son.of.Saturn]

Moffett? Is that Bobba Fett's sister?

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

I found out at my grandfathers memorial around 2002 or so that he got to fly in the 2 seater nasa version for atmospheric research. He was a founding father of weather modification. Cloud seeding in particular but taught s at cal tech after being an alumni. I was super close with him but it never came up. One of those people that did a million amazing things. Hearing about it from uncles was a shock but so cool. Wish I could have asked him but maybe he didn’t bring it up for a reason.. back 2002 and before.

[@jnellie1970]

Called the greatest generation for all the right reasons. They are/were humble, tough as nails and full of true grit.

[@qqqsfdf1232]

Grandparents often want to know more about what their grandchildren are up to, and are less interested in boring you with details of their life. Grandchildren are gift that grandparents love and cherish.

[@BSB333]

@@qqqsfdf1232 I spent countless days sitting with my grandfather, listening to him tell my about his life.

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

Lucky guy getting to fly in the nasa version 👍

[@gunbacker9428]

Founding father of chemtrails!! That's cool man. Props to pops.

[@k.c.williams3385]

I was a crew chief on this plan in the late 90's amazing plan despite its basic flight controls

[@nlambot6959]

“Chief” add the “e”, it’s a plane

[@k.c.williams3385]

@@nlambot6959 🤦‍♂️ 🤝

[@brysonberrett1496]

Ya Cables. with hydraulic flaps.

[@N3therWolf]

@@nlambot6959 u got autism?

[@dogfaceponysoldier]

I have a buddy from the Army. We were both enlisted together. He went Warrant Officer and became an Apache pilot. Transferred to the Air Force and flew F-16s then the U-2. He had a decompression emergency on one mission and had to do an emergency landing. Fucked him up permanently. One thing I that sticks with me. He said "the U-2 will try to kill you every time you climb into her"

[@downtuned9000]

I used to dislike the U2 design but over the years grew to love it, plus the history behind it is amazing.

[@jameslentsoane9037]

I just love the way you explain, including what abbreviations and acronyms mean. Great job and thanks for the info.👌🙏👏

[@edjarrett3164]

The crews are very selective. You have to be very focused as most your pilots are die hard introverts with great pilot skills. I’ve flown the u2 and landed successfully maybe 3 times. I”ve flown out of Beale in my formative years, but could never accept the many hours of flying solo that could be my job in the U2. I absolutely love having a crew, talking with people and enjoying their company.

[@andrewcurley5006]

Landed successfully "maybe" 3 times? Not exactly sure what that means.

[@edjarrett3164]

@@andrewcurley5006 2 T&G landings with a full stop.

[@andrewcurley5006]

@@edjarrett3164 Got it. That makes sense. Thanks! The way it was worded, I thought that maybe you had been drunk during one of the landings and couldn't remember if it was successful or not. 🤣

[@gabrielmcollazo6675]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MILITARY SERVICE!

[@leefruits7241]

From what I have heard, speed variance at operational altitude is the real deal. Apparently, older U-2 planes had an approximate 5MPH variance between shuddering apart going to fast or straight falling out of the sky if just a bit to slow. Newer versions it would seem are down to a 2.5MPH variance.

[@wally7856]

Turn at altitude too fast and your outside wingtip will go too fast and at the same time your inboard wing will drop below stall speed. Double trouble simultaneously!

[@mohammedalmukhtar5428]

Another iconic of Kelly Johnson’s ingenuity , his designs will enter aviation’s history most difficult machines to fly RIP KJ.

[@upandonward]

"We have the technology to take E.T home." - Kelly Johnson

[@luke144]

If I could fly one thing. Damn what a wicked machine. Imagine flying alone over enemy territory. Invisible and miles in the sky. What an amazing job. It tickles my brain to think of how alone that would feel.

[@HXD90]

It will never feel as alone as I do

[@luke144]

@@HXD90 alien hug 👽

[@pic18f452]

I appreciate the dual unit values. 70k ft, 21 km etc...

[@jaybam1990]

U-2 and the B-52 man... Old but damn reliable

[@georgemuller6038]

Thanks for showing a Lady flying a U-2. There are a few of them and one is an instructor. Great job Ladies!

[@brain7941]

if a woman can do it it must not be that hard to fly

[@elew5142]

@@brain7941 you sound like a basement dweller

[@lakesnyder]

@@brain7941 😐 you are so funny

[@BrainWasherAttendent]

Who cares!

[@HXD90]

Hmmmm wonder how she got that job…..

[@joesinegal8167]

I Watch U2's Take Off And Land At Beale Air Force Base In Northern California. They're A Beautiful Sight To See! I'm Proud To Be An American And Thank Our Airman And Pilot's For Their Service! ✌️🇺🇲✌️😎

[@Christalclearpressurewashpaint]

Just saw it the other day in the air before it landed looks crazy long wings

[@hokehinson5987]

McCoy SAC AFB, Orlando Florida had a U-2 flying out most every week many times on my watch. Rookie security policeman got the task to baby set these beasts. Seems I got that task every 3 day graveyard cycle. I loved aircraft for me it was a delight. The ground crews were friendly answering what questions they were allowed. While there saw a B 52 crash. The air craft commander sacrificed the crew to bring it down in an area of few houses. Yeah it's difficult to believe but in 1971 McCoy was in the undeveloped country side. No orlando international Airport. The civilian strip shared the military strip. Terminal was smaller than a county bus station. That U-2 could skip aways down the strip then lift off and go almost vertical! A pure sight to see. Nothing was as loud as those KC-135s taking off!! Ears muffs only barely kept ear drums from rupturing! Read the book by Frances Gary Powers while waiting for tech school to open....never thought I'd get to babysitting that plane for 4 months....

[@josephpacchetti5997]

Amazing Aircraft, Thanks Sam and the production team at U.S. Military News. 👍 🇺🇸

[@triftiduda7636]

thanks for also providing metric units!

[@KarelClijsters1995]

Thanks for the inclusion of metric units

[@CosmosNut]

Interesting video about this iconic aircraft. thank you.

[@donmiller504]

wow, those are amazing lenses!

[@kfelix2934]

U2 use to have some good hits back in the day.. oh this video is the plane ;) When I was in Osan AB, Korea we would watch the mustang chase car chase the U2 when it would land. One time they lost or broken one of the support wheels, so a airman laid down on the one with the landing support wheel to keep the plane level as it taxi back to it's hanger.

[@kfelix2934]

@@capablemachine That's a good one. At Kadena, the maintenance crew serving the Blackbird " Habu ", used to play Elevation as joke. I wonder if the Osan outfit ever plays that as a standard song & before it's flights ;) I was also present during its last flight ( SR71 Kadena ) btw. You have to be in the USAF to understand all of that and the "Elevation" song.

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

All I can say is I’m glad they’re on my side👍

[@cyndybutler7330]

Love this plane

[@m.mustapha794]

😱 amazing plane 😱

[@modulator7861]

Amazing! I could ahve sworn these were retired YEARS ago! Feel like Im seeing a Coelacanth for the first time on 50 years...

[@suhaybxasan7725]

I think the hardest part of flight is landing,the happieat is taking off,and the easiest is when the plane is levelled

[@isabellam1936]

Fascinating

[@uncivildisobedience1878]

Just WOW

[@MilitaryVehicleReviews]

I love the U-2!

[@jurzyjohner432]

What an amazing piece of equipment.

[@borntoclimb7116]

Very interesting Video, i saw several documentarys about this, is fascenating.

[@marty5300]

the tremendous amount of lift that thing generates is impressive. on takeoff the plane goes straight up

[@ME2K23]

Did I just see a rearview mirror!? ... Surely used during backing up into parking spaces 😉

[@smilesmart4051]

한국 평택 오산기지에서 저공비행할때 몇 번 봤는데 정말 멋졌다 🤩✌️

[@benjaminjanson9077]

So cool

[@plank3000]

What a great channel

[@tb7771]

I saw one land at Ramstein AB once. U2 pilots used to have the highest divorce rate than any specialty.

[@perpetualgrin5804]

As a Chinese citizen who works in a restaurant this is extremely informative.

[@stuartjobling9360]

Long Live The Dragon Lady 🐉 IN GOD WE TRUST ALL OTHERS WE MONITOR, Awesome peace of aviation history 🐲

[@thatguy8005]

They have been training out of Dobins AFB North of Atlanta a few weeks ago

[@davidgrisez]

The Lockheed U-2 is another amazing Air Force airplane that has been in use a very long time. The only other Air Force plane that has been in service such a long time is the Boeing B-52 bomber.

[@dkopischke]

One of these was on a flight radar website over MN during the balloon invasion.

[@vashbain3136]

had no idea this plane was still active

[@user-nl5md6cg9u]

How done there nice

[@johnnymnemonic69]

I have no words

[@tanman99]

7:29 - you just sent the hairs on the back of Maverick’s neck on edge.

[@brettwilson7155]

How many times does this guy say 'Thatcher said' ...... I think it is much better you get Mr Thatcher to do the talking for the next one ........ 'Brett said!'

[@huhwoah4115]

I wanna see a video of this plane from the ISS

[@hamiltonharper]

They're mounting a giant pin on the nose to pop any balloons they encounter

[@brianhoward7277]

*U2, the hardest band to enjoy listening to, and the hardest aircraft to fly.*

[@wayneyd2]

The speed between stalling or VNE is about 6 knots in airspeed at operational altitude.

[@wally7856]

Turn too fast and your outboard wing will go over VNE and your inboard wing will stall both at the same time.

[@adampersi1121]

I don’t understand how it out lasted the black bird/ what the advantages of the u2 have over the blackbird

[@wertbe1718]

While this might be a dull job at times, this plane looks so cool to fly

[@skip123davis]

the white scarf crowd in usaf loves this sort of thing and hates the a10. they've been trying to get rid of the air to mud mission of the at0 since i was in in the early 80's.

[@khalidaldahas]

Almost flying in outer space ; terrifing inner tyranny .

[@user-py2ik5ho9n]

'DRAGON LADY' DELTA People! Foxtrot Roger

[@user-eh4xj4lm1p]

Pilot did a emote on us 😭

[@kerncountyresponsevideos2639]

3:20 they look like the guys from monsters inc

[@ErectkyleDysfunction]

We need the SR71 back in service.

[@TenshinhanIsKing]

Love the plane but that shit is too expensive to service. And as a crew chief I would hate to see any maintainers suffering having to work on it.

[@ytgre7767]

Never happen..

[@rellbeensavage_8181]

Someone else commented exactly why that probably won't happen. Yes the U2 and the SR71 can both pentrate any air space, U2 only has to go to it's max cruising altitude and do circles, collecting The SR would have to haul ass to get in and get out as fast as possible

[@timpierce6708]

Yep

[@67hr74]

I'm just reading a fascinating book "Area 51" written by Annie Jacobsen and published in 2011. It goes into the history of not only area 51 but also all the clandestine activities the then burgeoning CIA and AEC tests with atomic weapons (the original black op) that were conducted around Groom Lake and area 51. Including the design & development of the U2

[@Oclb]

rubber bands holding that thing on lol

[@chrisrhoads5091]

4:32 "doo doo" teehee

[@HenriFaust]

I have to wonder about the structural integrity for such a long-running aircraft.

[@MeshonJerad]

Love you usa.

[@firstsurname2478]

These are the MEN!

[@user-pd4tz8xn9n]

The U2 Reconnaissance plane, has been in service for over 65 years, from 1955 , until now. It’s a plane with the well-known hardest skill in piloting ， esp. in landing. The plane was designed as a space glider , with one wheel on the front , and one wheel in the rear, and one wheel under each wing for balance, When the plane take off on the runway , the wheels under the wings would separate ; designed as a space glider. There are only 1000 crews piloting the plane in the. World , most are the Americans. and a small numbers of the British, while the British were not on mission. The most famous was the US pilot Powers who was shot down by missile in the high altitude in USSR. Greatly shocking the US Government. that the captured pilot Powers would be imprisoned for 10 years. Henceforth, the US Government dared not send pilot in U2 to USSR , or other hostile countries. Now, the Red China was developing the atomic bomb in the northwest part of the mainland China. The US earnestly want to know the progression of the Red China. Thus , a cooperation would be with the government of the Republic of China in Taiwan , that the US would send the U2 from US to Taiwan , and then piloted by the Air-force of the Rep of China, deep into the northwest part of the Red China, for the reconnaissance mission. Elite crew members would be selected for the special training in US, almost to be the Astronaut Training to such an altitude of 70000 feet , very near to the outer space, and with the equipment just like the Astronaut one. A total no. of 28 elite crews was selected. And the Squadron was named the Black Cat Squadron , with the logos as below. Starting from 1961 to 1974, through 14 years. There was 6 dead in training, 4 dead in mission , 2 imprisoned in Red China for 20 years. Only 17 members were alive when the mission ended in 1974. 220 missions were held through the Red China. The 1st and the 2nd Nuclear Explosion Test were reconnoitered in the Red China. The amazing story would be almost forgotten by people all over the world. Thank you for reading the story. Only the crews of the Air-force of the Republic of China in Taiwan under the President of Chiang Kai-shek admitted the reconnaissance mission , and piloting the U-2, besides the westerners. Amen Hallelujah ! Hallelujah !

[@gaius_enceladus]

Man, these things must be difficult to land with their bicycle-style landing gear!

[@Kiwoeoe]

question tho, what if your nose is itching mid flight ... :C

[@ericmason349]

I would hope that any avionics software was isolated from other software that communicates with systems of multiple levels of security. Any corruption by hacking could be deadly if it got into the avionics. On another note; given the ability to communicate with systems of different security levels the pilot could always check on the latest sports highlights.

[@briancampbell4947]

And despite all this work, the pilots still have time to tour the world as a band

[@stuartjobling9360]

Do we think U2 will be around for another 30 to 40 years, i certainly hope so, seeing them at RAF Fairford is just awesome, love this aircraft. IN GOD WE TRUST ALL OTHERS WE MONITOR 🐲 🐉

[@johnholeman2966]

When a piezoelectric generator is combined with centripital force, the faster we spin, the more pure power gets generated. Would I lie?

[@brysonberrett1496]

Don't forget the marzel vain.

[@reedtassell4847]

7:50 “older aircraft” like the f22?

[@somethingelse4878]

The British lighting shot up past the u2 to 88tf and shocked the u2s pilot and they had small wings

[@TheDarthvader123]

Great upgrade, GPS installed with some rubber bands..!

[@ceeplusthree]

Temp fix. We now use iPads.

[@Uajd-hb1qs]

U-2: most difficult plane to fly. SR-71: most difficult plane to maintain.

[@sanidamalketh8316]

Usa 🇺🇸 💖💙💯

[@user-ir6fn6mq9l]

Ничего не понял но очень интересно

[@jameslyddall]

Can’t quite tell is this voice narrated automated?

[@bobsmoot8454]

65 year life span, impressive

[@artantme]

That's u-two, u-two-bers!

[@a.j.haverkamp4023]

@7:50 Is that a Garmin GPS attached to the mirror?

[@ceeplusthree]

The Garmin/rubber band set up was a temp fix. We now use iPads.

[@amigatommy7]

4 guys hanging on a wing to set the plane up could use an upgrade too.

[@EmpireTextbooks]

How does this plane land without the supporting wheels that are pictured under the wings as it taxies? It seems like it would end up tilting to one side as it slows down since these are not present.

[@stevetheveteran]

There are titanium skid plates in place for landings. Once the airplane is stationary, ground crew hustles to get wing gears back in place.

[@EmpireTextbooks]

@@stevetheveteran this is in the interest of keeping the weight low?

[@fredrickmillstead2804]

I have a friend who piloted the u 2, he has stories that he can't tell.

[@HXD90]

lol and he was probably also a delta force navy seal force recon CIA secret service agent, right? Im sure he’s told you some crazy shit like that as well, “can’t talk about it though.” Big big secrets

[@fredrickmillstead2804]

@@HXD90 nope he retired as an o6 from the air force.

[@tardiscommand1812]

Some really old Russian is watching this video and yelling that he was right. He felt someone watching him while taking a bathroom break outside way back then. Looks like he was right!

[@tagscientist]

One of the most beautiful planes ever made (see 4:51) and they try their hardest to make it ugly!

[@timbarton6611]

👍👍👍

[@seancarroll5649]

Is it the U-2U now? OR still U-2S Old U-2R/S Crew Chief, I miss my girl BB 1096 anyone know if she is still flying????????

[@cokycoffee5882]

🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@odt4492]

is the new motto Semper Uggo? all the U.S. weapon designs as of late...

[@kamimaza]

1:03 has a piece of string to indicate coordinated flight lol...

[@Ghostintheshell3551]

king thacher foo!