Photography > Aerial
Reconnaissance and Imagery Analysis > Airplanes >
U-2 / TR-1
U-2
An U-2 is an unusual single-engine aircraft with sailplane-like
wings, the product of a team headed by Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson
at Lockheed's famed "Skunk Works" It is a single-seat,
high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft that gained fame in the
50s and 60s, but has been in operational service, in one model
or another, since 1956. It can carry a variety of sensors and
cameras, is an extremely reliable reconnaissance aircraft, and
enjoys a high mission completion rate. However, the aircraft can
be a difficult aircraft to fly due to its unusual landing characteristics.
The TR-1, now redignated U-2R, is a follow-on development
of the U-2, specifically tailored to provide continuous day/night,
high-altitude, all-weather, stand-off surveillance of an area
in direct support of U.S. and allied tactical ground and air forces,
or tactical reconnaissance. It can provide critical intelligence
information to decision makers through all phases of a conflict,
including peacetime indications and warnings, crises, low-intensity
conflict and large-scale hostilities. Sensor data from the U-2R
is linked to either satellites or ground stations. On an as needed
or available basis, the U-2R can serve as a source of sensing
data for support of various federal agencies, and has provided
assistance to FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during
disaster relief efforts. The TR-1 first flew in August 1981 and
was delivered to the Air Force the next month.
Sensors
The U-2R's modular payload design allows the aircraft to
be reconfigured to perform various missions which include;
mapping studies, atmospheric sampling, and collection of crop and land
management photographic
data for the Department of Energy. The U-2 is capable of
collecting multi-sensor photo, electro-optic, infrared and radar imagery,
as well as performing
other types of reconnaissance functions. An Air Force initiative
following Desert Storm demonstrated the ability to locate relocatable
targets from
the U-2R all weather reconnaissance platform and transfer
the data to a precision weapon platform within minutes enabling accurate
targeting
among multiple items.
The HR-329 (H-cam) uses a high resolution, gyro- stabilized framing system
with a 66-inch focal length and folded optical path. Traditionally, the
H-cam operates at an angle to provide greater coverage. During Desert
Storm, planners experimented with the camera aimed straight down. The
detail and clarity impressed planners and amazed theater commanders.
Commanders were disappointed, however, that the system could not cover
a greater area and still maintain the same detail and clarity. Although
the H-cam imagery is especially useful for targeting, battle damage and
order-of-battle assessment, targets must be preselected and the technicians
must process the film after the aircraft lands – not real time.
The Intelligence Reconnaissance Imagery System III (IRIS-III) is an optical imagery system that uses a high resolution, panoramic camera
with a 24-inch focal length. Employing a folded optical path system mounted
on a rotating optical bar assembly, the IRIS-III laterally scans through
140 degrees of the total viewing area. This camera covers a 32-nautical-mile
swath on both sides of the aircraft. The IRIS-III provides wider "synoptic" coverage
than the H-cam, but it does not have the resolution or NIIRS quality.
Sensor development includes the Senior Year EO Reconnaissance
System (SYERS) and Senior Blade, ad well as other initiatives in SAR
and SIGINT.
