Last year, the U.S. Department of the Air Force announced its plans to retire all U-2 Dragon Lady spy aircraft by fiscal year 2026, citing budget concerns amid the department’s push for modernization.
See Also
U-2 Vs SR-71: former USAF Avionics Technician explains why the Dragon Lady still flies spy missions while the Blackbird had been retired - The Aviation Geek ClubThe Air Force Wants to Kill the U-2. A Secret Spy Drone May Be Waiting in the Shadows.U-2 Pilot ApplicationAre U-2 Spy Planes Still Used?Air Force leaders have considered doing away with U-2s for nearly two decades, asking Congress to retire the “Cold War-era workhorses,” the Air Force Times reported. According to officials, Congress removed protective language from the National Defense Authorization Act that has blocked the aircraft’s retirement in the past, allowing the service to “move forward with U-2 divestment in (fiscal year) 2026.”
