How did U-2 spy planes contribute to Cold War arms control and intelligence gathering?

The U-2 spy plane played a pivotal role in Cold War intelligence gathering and, by extension, the management of the arms race. Designed for high-altitude reconnaissance, the aircraft allowed the United States to monitor Soviet Union military developments, including the testing of nuclear weapons and the deployment of strategic missile sites.12

By providing photographic evidence of military capabilities, the U-2 helped policymakers assess the actual state of the arms race rather than relying on speculation. Its most significant contribution to crisis management occurred during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, when U-2 imagery confirmed the presence of Soviet nuclear-armed missiles in Cuba. This intelligence was essential for the U.S. government to formulate a calibrated response, ultimately facilitating a diplomatic resolution that prevented direct nuclear conflict.13

While the U-2 provided critical transparency, the U-2 Affair in 1960, when a plane was shot down over Soviet territory, highlighted the inherent risks of such surveillance and the intense geopolitical tensions of the era.12