Lockheed U-2S: Difference between revisions
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It's development goes back to the early 1950s, when the U.S. military desired better strategic reconnaissance, against the backround of the upcoming Cold War. It's first flight was on 1 August 1955. | It's development goes back to the early 1950s, when the U.S. military desired better strategic reconnaissance, against the backround of the upcoming Cold War. It's first flight was on 1 August 1955. | ||
The U-2 looks very much like a glider, but it is equipped with a jet propulsion engine. To save weight, even the landing gear was minimized. It only has a front and a rear gear | The U-2 looks very much like a glider, but it is equipped with a jet propulsion engine. To save weight, even the landing gear was minimized. It only has a front and a rear gear along the main fuselage axis of the aircraft. The supplementary wheels under the wings, so called "pogos", drop off during takeoff (See Special Features section below). This unique design gives the U-2 the capability to climb up to 70'000ft (21'000m). | ||
During it's long history the U-2 experienced several redesigns. The FlightGear aircraft described here, features the latest, modern variant of the U-2, the U-2S. | During it's long history the U-2 experienced several redesigns. The FlightGear aircraft described here, features the latest, modern variant of the U-2, the U-2S. | ||
Revision as of 20:40, 12 July 2012
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Work in progress This article or section will be worked on in the upcoming hours or days. See history for the latest developments. |
| Image requested | |
| Type | High-altitude reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Cem Aydin |
| FDM | YASim |
| --aircraft= | U-2S |
| Status | Alpha |
| FDM |
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| Systems |
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| Cockpit |
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| Model |
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The famous U-2 spyplane, for FlightGear.
The Lockheed U-2 is a very high-altitude reconnaissance Aircraft, operated by the United States Air Force. It's nickname is "Dragon Lady".
It's development goes back to the early 1950s, when the U.S. military desired better strategic reconnaissance, against the backround of the upcoming Cold War. It's first flight was on 1 August 1955.
The U-2 looks very much like a glider, but it is equipped with a jet propulsion engine. To save weight, even the landing gear was minimized. It only has a front and a rear gear along the main fuselage axis of the aircraft. The supplementary wheels under the wings, so called "pogos", drop off during takeoff (See Special Features section below). This unique design gives the U-2 the capability to climb up to 70'000ft (21'000m).
During it's long history the U-2 experienced several redesigns. The FlightGear aircraft described here, features the latest, modern variant of the U-2, the U-2S.
Landing the U-2 is a challange, due to it's sensitivity to crosswinds and it's glider like landing gear configuration. There are skids at the top of the wings, which are also implemented in the FDM (Flight Dynamics Model).