The U-2

Below is a short sample of the essay The U-2. If you sign up you could be reading the rest of this essay in under two minutes. Registered users should login to view the essay.

The U-2

The U-2
CIA – Air Force
Reasons:
Soviet air defense was aggressive
April 8, 1950 – USSR shot down a US Privateer over Baltic
Autumn 1951 – USSR downed a Twin-Engine Navy Neptune bomber
June 13 1952 – USSR allegedly downed a RB-29
Also scattered reports from Britain and Turkey
After USSR backed N. Korea fear of USSR expansion grew
Development:
Civilian or Air Force?
After many letters the decision for who to run development came from president Eisenhower who instructed that if a uniformed test pilot was captured in USSR in peacetime problems would arouse so a civilian team was called for development.
Funding
I would like to note that this segment in many reports was covered with black marker
You try to read a sentence blacked out like this s and understand it.
The Team
James R. Killian, Jr.
Director of Scientist --- President of MIT
His team of engineers worked no more that 50 feet from the assembly line. Problems were recognized and fixed in a few hours of draft productions.
The Place
Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development facility in Burbank, CA
AKA Skunk Works
The Plane:
The design called for a lightweight aircraft for ultrahigh flight.
Tail
The long tail was bolted to the body was only 3 bolts. This design was similar to a sailplane, which is also known for its lightweight.
Wings
The wing spar went through the fuselage.
The panels were bolted to the side of the fuselage. (Sailplane)
Amazingly the wings where integrated fuel tanks keeping almost all of the U-2’s fuel.
Nose and Landing Gear
The nose was curved upwards to keep stabilized during wind gusts. (Sailplane) The landing was a complex set of bicycle like gears that weight 208 pounds but had the capability to withstand the touchdown of a 7-ton aircraft.
Camera
After developing 2 cameras each too large or too heavy a camera a camera was then developed using 3 mirrors and a prism to meet the size and weight requirements of the
U-2
“Spacesuits”
One of the first partially pressurized suits for high altitude flight was developed for specifically for the U-2. The cockpit kept a constant pressure 28,000 ft. This was at an outside pressure of a ‘window cracking’ 70,000 feet or more. If the pressure suddenly decreased the suit would automatically inflate and administrate oxygen to the pilot.
(Blood boils after 65,000ft)
Fuel
The CIA called on the vice president of Shell Oil Co. to make a low-volatility, low-vapor kerosene fuel. A fuel with the boiling point of 300°F
Security
I wish I could fly...

The complete article is about 1309 words and 5.24 pages long.

To continue reading the complete article, subscribe below and get free instant unlimited access.

Once you have registered for an Account, No refunds can be issued.
Please make sure you look over the site before you purchase an account!!!