Designed by Kelly Johnson at the Lockheed Skunk works in the mid 1950's, these odd looking aircraft are still a major part of the US inventory for both photographic reconnaissance and electronic intelligence. The original U-2 managed for several years to overfly the Soviet Union, until Gary Powers was shot down in 1960. In the early-80's the USAF defined a need for a tactical reconnaissance aircraft. This lead to the re-opening of the production line and the creation of TR-1's. Later, all U-2's and TR-1's were re-designated as U-2R's. Active to this day over places like Iraq, U-2's are a corner stone of the US intelligence effort.

U-2/TR-1 at Nellis.

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