This page was updated last on: 31 August 2004

U-2 Specifications

U-2A/C/D

• Construction: Conventional aluminum monococque
• Length: 49.7 feet
• Wingspan: 80 feet, 2 inches
• Wing Area: 600 square feet
• Height: 15 feet, 2 inches (at tail)
• Empty Weight: 14,250 pounds
• Maximum Gross Take-Off Weight: 24,150 pounds
• Maximum Speed: over 430 mph
• Operational Ceiling: over 70,000 feet
• Maximum Unrefueled Range: 3,000 nautical miles
• Armament: none
• Powerplant Data: Pratt & Whitney(P & W) J57-P-37/ J57-P-37A with 10,500 pounds of thrust
  • updated to: P & W J57-P-31/ J57-P-31A with 11,200 pounds of thrust
  • updated to: P & W J75-P-13/ J75-P-13A with 15,800 pounds of thrust
  • updated to: P & W J75-P-13B axial flow turbojet with 18,500 pounds of thrust

U-2R, and TR-1, U-2S, TU-2S(2 seat trainer)

• Construction: Conventional aluminum monococoque, with some composites
• Length: 63.1 feet
• Wingspan: 104.8 feet
• Wing Area (gross): 1,000 square feet
• Height: 16.7 feet (at tail)
• Empty Weight: Classified
• Maximum Takeoff Weight:40,000 lb.
• Maximum Speed: over 430 mph
• Operational Ceiling: over 70,000 feet
• Maximum Unrefeuled Range: over 3,000 nautical miles
• Aramament: none
• Powerplant Data:
  • U-2R: Pratt & Whitney J75-P-13B with 18,500 pounds thrust
  • U-2S: General Electric F118-GE-101 with 18,300 pounds thrust

U-2 Variant Data

• U-2A: Basic configuration
• U-2A-2: Basic "A" with nose mounted air sampler (Tail #6714 to #6718)
• U-2B: Proposed bomber w/tricycle landing gear, 2 hardpoints under each wing for carrying external weapons and single M60 machine gun in "Q" bay lowered out of bottom of aircraft for self protection. None were built.
• U-2C: Basic "A" model with J75 engine and bigger intakes. Flight tests were carried out using Tail #6675, #6684, #6691 and a total of 106 flights and 381 hrs., 7 minutes flying time.
• U-2CT: U-2C converted to 2 place trainer (2 Built, 56-6716 & 56-6692).
• U-2D: Purpose built 2 place a/c (not trainer)(56-6721, 56-6954).
• U-2E: Basic "A" converted with inflight refueling capability (3 aircraft).
• U-2F: U-2C converted with inflight refueling capabiltiy (5 aircraft).
• U-2G: U-2C converted for carrier compatibility with arresting hook and accessories, rear fuselage beef-up, 50 degrees of flaps and extended main stoke main and tail landing gear (3 aircraft).
• U-2H: U-2G converted to inflight-refueling capability, found to be too heavy and converted back to U-2G (2 aircraft)
• U-2R: Larger version of original U-2. Designed with carrier capability from outset with RX107 Hook Kit installed.
• TR-1: Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (all aircraft redesignated U-2R)
• TR-1B: 2 place Trainer (redesignated TU-2R)
• U-2S: Re-engined U-2R with General Electric F118-GE-101 with 18,300 pounds thrust; the F118 engine is 30% lighter and 39 inches shorter and more fuel effect, than the J75-13B, and allows the "S" to cruise 1220 nm farther, and fly 3500 feet higher. It also has a new digital autopilot, and sensor wiring has been standardized.

  Aircraft Production:

  • U-2 A/C/F/G/H..............55
  • U-2R..............................23
  • U-2RT(Trainer)................1
  • TR-1..............................21
  • TR-1B(Trainer)................2
  • ER-2................................2 (basically a U-2R built for NASA)
  • AF Serial numbers assigned to U-2 A/C/F/G/H production:
    • 56-6675 through 56-6722
    • 56-6950 through 56-6955
  • AF Serial numbers assigned to U-2R & TR-1 production:
    • 68-10329 through 68-10340
    • 80-1063 through 80-1099
  • AF Serial numbers assigned to the U-2R program but not used are:
    • 68-10346 through 68-10353

Sources:

• Buddy Brown
• "Lockheed Skunk Works, The First 50 Years" by Jay Miller
• "U-2S Engine Flight Test Program" by Thomas S. Pugh

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