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U-2
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The U-2 in flight
The U-2 in flight Originally developed during the 1950s, with testing carried out at Area 51, the U.S. Air Force's U-2 had a long service life. The last U-2 was built in 1989, and the aircraft continued to be flown in the 21st century. A U-2 is shown here in flight in 2003.

U-2

United States aircraft
Also known as: Dragon Lady
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U-2, single-seat, high-altitude jet aircraft flown by the United States for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Perhaps the most famous spy plane ever built, the U-2, also known as the Dragon Lady, has been in service since 1956. A prototype flew in 1955, and the last plane in the series was built in 1989. At first the plane was used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to monitor electronic...

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