Profile
- Type
- High-altitude reconnaissance aircraft
- Conflict side
- United States
- Origin
- United States
- Service note
- 1956-present
Aircraft & UAVs
U-2 Dragon Lady
The Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady is a single-seat, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' Skunk Works. In the United States-Iran Conflict, Air & Space Forces reported U-2 reconnaissance aircraft were used in support of Operation Epic Fury, underscoring the type's continuing role in long-range ISR.
- Conflict side
- United States
- Built in
- United States
Service History
- In service
- Entered U.S. Air Force service in 1956 and remains a long-range ISR platform.
- Used by
- United States Air Force
- Wars
- United States-Iran Conflict
Production History
- Designer
- Lockheed Skunk Works
- Designed
- 1953-1955
- Built in
- United States
- Produced
- 1955-1989
- Variants
- U-2S, TU-2S, ER-2
Specifications
- Crew
- 1
- Power plant
- 1 x General Electric F118-101 engine
- Thrust
- 17,000 pounds
- Speed
- 410 mph
- Range
- More than 7,000 miles (6,090 nautical miles)
- Ceiling
- Above 70,000 feet (21,212+ meters)
- Payload
- 5,000 pounds
- Sensors
- Electro-optical infrared, optical bar camera, synthetic aperture radar, signals intelligence, and network-centric communication
Conflict Usage
- United States-Iran Conflict
- Side: United StatesRole: High-altitude reconnaissance and ISR
United States-Iran Conflict: U-2 reconnaissance aircraft were used by U.S. Central Command in support of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, according to Air & Space Forces reporting.
U-2 Dragon Lady Images
Related Weapon Systems
SharkFixed-wing reconnaissance unmanned aerial systemShark is a Ukrainian fixed-wing reconnaissance UAS built by Ukrspecsystems for autonomous surveillance, target identification, and artillery fire adjustment. In Ukrainian service during the Russia-Ukraine War, Shark systems pair catapult-launched electric UAVs with mobile ground-control equipment and encrypted video links for operations behind the front line.
E-2D Advanced HawkeyeCarrier-based airborne early warning and control aircraftThe E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is Northrop Grumman's carrier-based airborne early warning and command aircraft, built around a 360-degree radar and five-person crew. U.S. Navy E-2Ds were documented supporting Operation Epic Fury in the United States-Iran Conflict in 2026.
F-35C Lightning IICarrier-based stealth multirole fighterThe F-35C Lightning II is the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, built for catapult launches and arrested landings with larger wings, folding wingtips, strengthened landing gear, internal fuel for long-range carrier operations, and a sensor suite intended for strike, air-to-air, reconnaissance, and electronic-warfare missions. U.S. Marine Corps F-35Cs made the variant's first documented combat strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in 2024, and an F-35C was later reported shooting down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone near USS Abraham Lincoln in 2026.
MQ-9 ReaperMedium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicleThe MQ-9 Reaper is a General Atomics medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft built for persistent intelligence collection and precision strike. Larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, it combines satellite control, electro-optical and infrared sensors, laser designation, and weapons such as Hellfire missiles and guided bombs, making it a recurring U.S. and coalition platform in counterterrorism, maritime-security, and regional-strike operations.
P-8 Poseidon maritime-patrol aircraftMaritime patrol aircraftThe Boeing P-8 Poseidon is the U.S. Navy's long-range maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, built on a 737 airframe for anti-submarine, anti-surface, and ISR work. In the United States-Iran Conflict, CENTCOM documented P-8 use for blockade-related surveillance over Iranian ports and nearby waters.
RC-135V/W Rivet JointSignals intelligence reconnaissance aircraftThe RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is a U.S. signals-intelligence reconnaissance aircraft derived from the C-135 family. In the United States-Iran Conflict, flight tracking showed it operating over the Arabian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz for intelligence collection missions.Sources
U-2S/TU-2S fact sheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports U-2S general characteristics, manufacturer background, history, and sensor packages. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Beale Air Force Base U-2 fact sheet indexPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the U-2's ongoing high-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance role in U.S. service. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U-2 fleet and Epic Fury coveragePublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: United States-Iran Conflict: U-2 reconnaissance aircraft were used by U.S. Central Command in support of Operation Epic Fury against Iran. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U-2 over the Golden Gate BridgePublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the U-2 over the Golden Gate Bridge photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U-2 over northern terrainPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the U-2 over mountain terrain photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U-2 underside in flightPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the underside U-2 flight photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U-2 side profile in flightPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the side-profile U-2 flight photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-20