U2 'Dragonlady' pilots spy on ISIS from the edge of space

a reply to: Zaphod58

Oh wow. Thanks for the info. Never understood why they would save a generation behind the 71 anyway.

Picture of the storage buillding

a reply to: Crumbles

The A-12 was actually slightly faster, with a slightly higher max altitude than the SR-71. It was slightly lighter, because it only had the one cockpit.

a reply to: Zaphod58

The mark of a true av nerd, when you know the difference between the A-12 and the SR-71.

a reply to: Bfirez

The mark of a true avnerd is when you know the difference when you see them at a museum without looking. Heh.

I thought America has military sats can 'see' a sand gran in HD

You know, there's a little-known conspiracy out there that satellites don't actually exist.

I'm not saying I totally believe that, but things like this make you go hmmm.

I got to fly on a special version of a plane when I was in the Navy that had a big camera installed in it for taking pictures of enemy installations. ONce again, that doesn't prove that satellites don't exist, but it makes you wonder.

a reply to: CB328

It's not physically possible to get the resolution people claim from a satellite in orbit. You can get amazing resolution but there is a finite limit to what you can get.

Satellites are also predictable down to the second when they'll pass over. An aircraft isn't, and can do things satellites can't. They're quite real, but they're not the the all powerful intelligence tool people think.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Crumbles

They were wrong.

924 is at Palmdale at the Air Park.
925 is at the Intrepid Museum.
926 crashed near Wendover.
927 is at the California Science Center.
928 crashed near Groom.
929 crashed near Groom.
930 is at the Space and Rocket Center.
931 is at the Minnesota Air National Guard Museum.
932 crashed in the South China Sea.
933 is at the San Diego Aerospace Museum.
937 is at the Southern Museum of Flight.
938 is at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
939 crashed near Groom.
940 is an M-21, it is at the Museum of Flight.
941 was an M-21, it crashed near Midway.

Just one change to the list Zap - A-12 #931 is now at the CIA HQ Langley.

The A-12's were kept in hangar storage for about 10 years then removed and placed outside and covered with a white protective covering till the late 80/early 90's when they started to ship them to museums. During the storage period some parts that were compatible with the SR-71 were removed.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Crumbles

The A-12 was actually slightly faster, with a slightly higher max altitude than the SR-71. It was slightly lighter, because it only had the one cockpit.

The A-12 was a about 15,000 lbs lighter. It didn't carry the same amount of fuel,(wet wings 68,000lbs against the SR-71 Max of 80,000 lbs) . Also it did not carry the same amount of cameras/ Elint equipment.

a reply to: ajsr71

That's right, there was quite a flap about that one being moved.

a reply to: ajsr71

Theoretically they could be having another go with it? Didn't someone order jp-7? I want to say 8 thousand gallons

a reply to: Crumbles

Yes, but the hypersonic programs also use JP-7. It has the advantage of being a coolant as well as a fuel.

a reply to: Zaphod58

As in blackswift hypersonic?

a reply to: Crumbles

The X-51A, HTV-2, X-43.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Isn't htv-2 blackswift?

a reply to: Crumbles

It was part of the Falcon program. HTV-3X was going to be Blackswift if it had continued.

originally posted by: darksidius
a reply to: grey580
Something green ?

But she always knows her place
She's got style, she's got grace, she's a winner
She's a lady

This plane is beautiful..

a reply to: JacKatMtn

So does that mean there is an admission or at least recognition, that if they can spy on ISIS from space they can also spy on you n I from space too?

a reply to: Azureblue

They're not spying on them from space. The U-2 goes high enough to require a space suit because of the low pressure but isn't near the altitude that is considered space.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Thanks for the correction but it makes no difference, its material. The point in my point remains, cheers