Anniversary marked for famous spy plane

Posted on: Aug. 3rd, 2005 || Source: dailynews.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

PALMDALE -- Created in secret to photograph the Soviet Union's nuclear missile sites and bomber bases during the Cold War, Lockheed Martin's venerable U-2 is still doing work in the War on Terror.

Enlarged and upgraded over the years, equipped with new sensors and communication gear to beam data around the world, the U-2 on Monday marked the 50th anniversary of its first flight from a hidden dry lake bed in the Nevada atomic testing grounds.

"What's important about the U-2 is 50 years after it was a pioneer it is still a pioneer," said retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Glen Schaffer. "It is truly a national treasure, and it's been a great gift to the nation."

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