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Air Force

USAF Wants U-2 to Inform Fighters’ Open Mission Systems, Future SIGINT

Frank Wolfe

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

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USAF Wants U-2 to Inform Fighters’ Open Mission Systems, Future SIGINT

A U-2 Dragon Lady prepares to take off for the U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration Phase 23-A exercise on May 30 at Nellis AFB, Nev. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

DAYTON, Ohio--While the U.S. Air Force plans to retire its Lockheed Martin [LMT] U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance fleet by 2026, the service wants to use the plane to inform future open mission systems and signals intelligence (SIGINT) efforts. "We're using the U-2 in unique and innovative ways as a surrogate platform to decrease risk for 5th gen fighters," Air Force Col. Joshua Williams, the program executive officer for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and special operations platforms, told reporters last…

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