U-2 uses various intelligence-gathering tools; Such as multispectral, infrared, and synthetic aperture radar. Until recently, some old school technology was still used in these hack planes as well.
Last summer the wet film cameras were finally removed and replaced with current generation digital equipment. The packages used to carry the film were bulky, and had to be unpacked and transported to Beale Air Force Base in California (where the fleet is headquartered) for darkroom development.
For the past two decades, the Air Force has toyed with the idea of sunset on one of its most indispensable warriors, but for one reason or another, allowed the U-2 to continue to patrol the enemy skies. However, it now appeared that U-2 would not be able to avoid time moving forward any longer.
The Air Force recently announced that it will retire the U-2 in fiscal year 2026, in a move to “reshape” how intelligence is gathered at high altitudes in the age of high-tech drones. Budget documents have been submitted to Congress outlining its plans to keep the existing U-2 fleet operational through the end of September 2025.
Next, the USAF plans to go in a different direction, perhaps by continuing to use it RQ-4 Global Hawk drones – that have also been determined to retire at least once in the past – or choose something completely new.
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