• Lockheed U-2
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    Developed in the mid-1950s by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson and his team, the U-2 was designed for high-altitude photoreconnaissance. Equipped with a 24-meter (80-foot) wingspan to aid in achieving maximum altitude, the U-2 at first could fly over the Soviet Union unharassed by Russian jets and antiaircraft missiles which were unable to match its performance. The U-2 in our collection, seen here, is a U-2C painted in camouflage colors for a special Air Force project. (Smithsonian Institution)

  • Lockheed U-2

Photographer:

Eric Long

ID#:

2000-9403

Source:

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Owner:

Smithsonian Institution

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