Elephant Walk 2024 showcases Air Force's iconic U‑2 spy planes amid plans for retirement

The phrase 'Elephant Walk' originates from World War II when large fleets of Allied bombers would gather for missions involving up to 1,000 planes. This coordinated demonstration of military readiness and power necessitates remarkable precision. The aircraft are positioned close to one another on the runway before lifting off sequentially.

Despite their dark paint, the show's real stars in California were the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance planes. They made their inaugural flight on August 1, 1955, and have since undergone numerous modifications, keeping them in practical service to the present day. As a reliable surveillance tool, they are adapted to meet modern demands, preserving their capabilities and ability to deliver critical intelligence data.

Before its transformation into Lockheed Martin, Lockheed designed and built the U-2 plane upon special request by the CIA. The agency needed a high-altitude reconnaissance tool to spy on the Soviet Union and other unreachable areas. However, the CIA is not the only user of this machine. Its capabilities are also recognized and utilized by the United States Air Force (USAF).

The U-2 boasts impressive features. Measuring over 62 feet in length and 15.7 feet in height with a wingspan of about 101 feet, it's equipped with a Pratt & Whitney J75-P-13B jet engine. It can reach speeds of 510 mph and fly at altitudes of up to 89,800 feet, and its maximum range exceeds 3,479 miles. Its radar and photographic equipment can observe objects within a 298-mile radius, regardless of the time. Furthermore, the gathered data can be transmitted to a terrestrial center in real-time. This single-seater machine has a take-off weight of 20.5 tons.

In early January 2024, U-2 planes were spotted at the show in California and over the Baltic Sea. Reports suggest they were closely examining the Königsberg area, possibly about recent disruptions in the GPS signal believed to originate from this region.

However, even advanced modifications might prove inadequate after seven decades. Consequently, plans are underway to retire the U-2 planes shortly. The current fleet is expected to be replaced with newer models by 2026, with Lockheed Martin TR-X being a potential successor.