U-2R AIRCRAFT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CAPABILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00159R000100170017-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 21, 2006
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: May 19, 1969
• Content Type: MF

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19 MAY iS69
MEMORANDUM FOR: Office of Planning, Programming and Budgeting
SUBJECT: U-2R Aircraft Accomplishments and Capabilities.
1. In accordance with your request for the subject information,
we have prepared an outline of the milestones reached to date in the
U-2R. In addition, we,have included some of the more important
comparative performance factors of the new aircraft as an attachment.
In the event that you require further information on the U=2R, the
Office of Special Activities is available to brief you at any time you so
desire.
2. The first ofF-]U-2R aircraft was accepted by the Agency
25X1 from the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) on 28 September 1967,
the last aircraft was accepted on 11 January 1969. I Iaircraft
are Agency assets with the remainder being processed by the Agency
for the Strategic Air Command, USAF.
25X1 3. In January 1969 the U-2R was declared Operationally Ready.
During January and February 1969 two raft were deployed to the .
25X1 Agency Detachment at Since arrival at
25X1 the U-2R aircraft has flown two operational missions under
auspices. These missions were flown along the China mainland 20 NM
offshore (consistent with current 303 Committee restraints). Both
missions demonstrated the U-ZR's capability to::collect imagery and
electronic intelligence simultaneously. .
4. During April 1969, Detachment G operating from Edwards
AFB, California, deployed a U-ZR to in a test
of the Detachment's capability to move the U-2R in response to crisis
situations. participated in the
exercise. The deployment and redeployment flight profiles significantly
demonstrated the U-2R's capability to complete long distance unrefueled
missions. Both the deployment and redeployment missions were flown
without excessive fatigue being noted by the pilot. The one-way distance
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5. As.of 31 March 1969, U-2R aircraft have
flown 445 sorties amounting to 1455 flying hours without loss of an
aircraft or serious damage. This is in contrast to a significantly
higher loss rate experienced previously in the older U-2C/G model
aircraft during its initial. entry into the operational inventory. The
learning curve in U-2 operations has been a significant factor in the.
improved U-2R accident ratio, however, the U-2R aircraft is a much
improved and easier to operate aircraft.
6. Plans are in process to qualify the U-ZR for U. S. Navy
carrier operations during November and December 1969. This will
enable the Agency to operate world-wide with the U-ZR with or without
prepared land base facilities.
For:
CARL E. DUCKETT
Deputy Director
for
Science and Technology
Attachment:
As stated
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