A U-2S high altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by U.S. Air Force has crashed in a unpopulated area in Sutter County, Californ...
A U-2S high altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by U.S. Air Force has crashed in a unpopulated area in Sutter County, California.
The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff at approximately 9:05 a.m. on Tuesday near the Sutter Buttes mountain range.
The aircraft, a two seat trainer variant designated TU-2S was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base.
Two pilots were onboard and ejected the aircraft. One pilot is confirmed deceased, while the other sustained injuries.
Pilots were trained at Beale using five TU-2S before being deployed for operational missions.
Built in complete secrecy by Kelly Johnson and the Lockheed's Skunk Works, the original U-2A first flew in August 1955.
The lightweight and large wingspan of 103 feet allow the U-2 to reach altitudes of over 70,000 feet.
The aircraft is powered by a single General Electric F118-101 engine, and has an range of more than 7,000 miles.
U-2's sensor packages include optical bar camera, electro-optical infrared camera, synthetic aperture radar, signals intelligence, and network-centric communication.
