Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed U-2
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1956–1989
Quantity
104
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Base AirframeLockheed U-2
- Mission TypeHigh-altitude reconnaissance
- Service Entry Year1956
- Flight Crew1
- Mission Crew1
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
- Engine TypeGeneral Electric F118-101
- Number of Engines1
▣Performance4MOD.4
- Cruise Speed764.81 km/h
- Service Ceiling24,384 m
- Range11,278.68 km
- Endurance14
◇Mission Systems8MOD.8
- Primary Sensor / RadarASARS-2 side-looking radar
- AESA RadarNo
- Rotodome / AEW AntennaNo
- SIGINT / ELINT SuiteYes
- Magnetic Anomaly DetectorNo
- Sonobuoy CapabilityNo
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Self-Protection SuiteYes
◆Armament (ASW/Strike)3MOD.3
- TorpedoesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Weapons Payload0 kg
▤Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length19.202 m
- Wingspan31.4 m
- Max Takeoff Weight12,000 kg
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built104
- Operators4
▲Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1955
- Production End1989
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1955Entered service
- 1956Production started
- 1989Production ended
70
years in service
33
years in production
104
units produced
4
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
05 / Operators
Operator Countries4country
06 / MASS Score
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT RANKING Intelligence / Recon Aircraft · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
8INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT1EARLY COLD WAR · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT184UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS41PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theIntelligence / Recon Aircraftcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources