U-2 spy planes
U-2 spy planes are high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft initially developed by Lockheed's Skunk Works in the 1950s, during the Cold War. Designed to gather critical intelligence, the U-2 could soar up to 70,000 feet and was equipped to capture photographic, communications, and electronic data. The aircraft first flew in 1955 and became operational by 1956, with the CIA deploying U-2 missions over key regions, including Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and several other nations. The U-2 played a significant role in alleviating concerns about Soviet military capabilities by providing vital information on missile sites and nuclear testing, effectively countering the narrative of a "missile gap." However, its missions were not without controversy; a notable incident occurred in May 1960 when a U-2, piloted by Francis Gary Powers, was shot down over the Soviet Union, leading to an international diplomatic crisis. Overall, the U-2's contributions were instrumental in shaping U.S. intelligence and military strategy during a tense period in history.
U-2 spy planes
Identification High-flying reconnaissance aircraft flown by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the United States Air Force during the Cold War
Date Began flights over the Soviet Union in 1956
The U-2 reconnaissance plane provided important Cold War intelligence for the United States during the late 1950’s.
During the 1950’s, the Cold War proved an immediate preoccupation for the American public and U.S. presidential administrations. The United States had a poor record of failure in testing its missile programs, and many government reports showed an impending “missile gap.” Fears grew that the Soviet Union might launch a preemptive strike before the United States could develop a sufficient missile-based deterrent force.
In response to such fears, the Lockheed Skunk Works plant in Burbank, California, began building the U-2 aircraft, designed by Kelly Johnson , in November of 1954, to gather intelligence from Cold War regional “hot points.” The aircraft flew its first test flight at Paradise Ranch at Groom Dry Lake, Nevada, in August, 1955, and was deemed fully operational in April, 1956. The U-2A met the CIA requirements for a reconnaissance plane capable of flying up to 70,000 feet for a long duration of time and carrying equipment that could collect photographic, communications, and electronic intelligence against designated targets. The craft—measuring 49 feet in length with a wingspan of 80 feet—was typically flown by one pilot, who had to dress in a partial pressure suit.
The CIA deployed the U-2A and established Detachment A at Lakenheath, England, in May, 1956, and then moved it to Wiesbaden, West Germany , in June, 1956. With President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s authorization, the CIA flew the first covert U-2A reconnaissance mission over East Europe in June and its first mission over the Soviet Union in July. The CIA established Detachment B at Incirlik, Turkey , in September, 1956, and Detachment C at Atsugi, Japan, in March, 1957.
Detachment B flew the first deep penetration mission over the Soviet Union from Pakistan in August, 1957. Detachment A moved to, and operated from, Giebelstadt, West Germany, until it was disbanded in November, 1957. Detachment B and C continued to fly photographic and signal intelligence missions over the Soviet Union, China, Indonesia, Egypt , Lebanon , Tibet, Laos , Israel, and North Vietnam. At one point in late 1957, Eisenhower, believing the flights to be provocative, hesitated to approve further deep penetration flights over the Soviet Union.
In the meantime, the 4080th Strategic Wing of the Strategic Air Command and CIA flew U-2 planes on high-altitude sampling missions in the Western Hemisphere and along the border of the Soviet Union. These missions acquired vital intelligence concerning Soviet nuclear testing.
In July, 1959, Detachment B flew the first U-2 deep penetration of the Soviet Union for more than eighteen months from Peshawar, Pakistan, and followed that mission with a landing in Iran. Eisenhower approved four more missions. Detachment B flew the first two missions, using the new U-2C model, from Pakistan with recovery in Turkey, in December, 1959, and February, 1960. The third flight took off from Peshawar and landed at Zahedan, Iran, in April, 1960. The CIA planned for the fourth flight, Operation Grand Slam, to take off from Peshawar and fly straight across the Soviet Union and land at Bodo, Norway. This U-2C flight, flown by Francis Gary Powers , was shot down by a Soviet surface-to-air missile in May, 1960, creating an international incident.
Impact
The U-2 spy plane collected vital intelligence information for the United States concerning Soviet ballistic missiles test sites, nuclear tests, submarine bases, airfields, and military-industrial complexes. The missions helped to disprove the perceived bomber gap and later, the missile gap.
Bibliography
Miller, Jay. Lockheed U-2. Austin, Texas: Aerofax, 1983. A valuable work that includes discussion and photographs of U-2 aircraft, sensor systems, partial pressure suits, and jet engines.
Pedlow, Gregory W., and Donald E. Welzenbach. The CIA and the U-2 Program, 1954-1974. Washington, D.C.: Central Intelligence Agency, 1998. A partially declassified study that describes CIA U-2 operations based on government documents.
Pocock, Chris. The U-2 Spyplane, Toward the Unknown: A New History of the Early Years. Atglen, Pa.: Schiffer Military History, 2000. An important study based on documentary evidence and interviews of key participants depicting the previously classified history of U-2 operations from the first operational flights to the U-2 incident in May, 1960.