U‑2S Dragon Lady is back in the air. The flying spy has new capabilities

U-2 reconnaissance aircraft have undergone equipment modernization. The first of the modernized units has already been tested in flight, paving the way for further tests, which will check the new, advanced capabilities of the iconic aircraft. What new abilities does the U-2 have?

The modernization of ATR, which American reconnaissance machines have undergone, involves a solid refresh of their avionics and equipment.

It includes, among others, communication, navigation or data imaging systems, new cabin equipment, as well as a new mission computer, compatible with the new standard being introduced in the US armed forces - OMS (Open Mission Systems). Its task is to enable comprehensive communication, also with systems operating in the space or cyberspace domain.

Changes were also made to the construction of the vessel itself, which was modified to facilitate future upgrades, installation of new equipment or implementation of new technical solutions.

Currently, the United States has a fleet of around (the exact number is not made public) 24 U-2 aircraft, painted black and unofficially named Dragon Lady. These machines were upgraded to the current U-2S standard in the late 80s. Although plans to retire these aircraft have been put forth since 2012, their implementation has been postponed each time.

The new modernization, its scope, and the implementation of perspective solutions, suggest that the Pentagon does not intend to give up the capabilities of the U-2 in the near future. The aircraft offers a very high flight ceiling, exceeding 27 km and a range reaching 12 thousand km.

Initially, the altitude of the flight was supposed to protect this machine from anti-aircraft missiles, but in 1960, the first U-2 was shot down by the Soviet anti-aircraft system S-75 Dvina.

This did not end the U-2's career, although it changed the way this machine is used, limiting its missions to areas of the world where it is not directly at risk of being shot down.

Despite the growing capabilities of satellite reconnaissance, classic reconnaissance aircraft are still irreplaceable, and not even increasingly advanced drones have retired them. Despite nearly 70 years of service, a design with a human at the controls still offers opportunities not available for other methods of aerial reconnaissance.