Paris 2011: USAF Extends Life of Lockheed Martin U-2 as Northrop Grumman Defends Global Hawk’s Failed Evaluation
The U.S.

The U.S. Air Force is adding new sensors to the Lockheed Martin U-2 Dragon Lady and postponing retirement of the veteran spyplane, after the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk UAV failed an operational test and evaluation (OT&E). Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman has mounted a stout defense of its high-altitude reconnaissance drone, and Pentagon acquisition czar Ashton Carter said the Global Hawk was still “essential to national security.”

The planned out-of-service-date for the U-2 has been changed from Fiscal Year 2013 to FY 2016, therefore justifying some new investment. It still flies daily reconnaissance missions from bases in the Mediterranean, the Gulf and Korea.

Loading…