U-2

U-2 (Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, USA) High-altitude jet-powered reconnaissance aircraft in service from 1957. Used extensively in operations from the Cold War to Afghanistan. Designed by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson at the infamous 'Skunk Works'.

 ABOVE: A U-2 in the air

BELOW: Target: Cuba. U-2 photography was instrumental in proving the Soviets had installed Nuclear missile systems on Cuba.

Clarence Johnson (Left) with Gary Powers

On May 1st, 1960, Francis Gary Powers was flying his U-2 on a reconnaissance mission codenamed GRAND SLAM from Peshawar, Pakistan over the Soviet Union. He was shot down by a S-75 Dvina (NATO reporting name SA-2 Guideline) ground-to-air missile over Sverdlovsk, captured and sentenced to a prison term. He was exchanged for 'Rudolf Abel' on February 10, 1962, on the famous Glienicke Bridge, the 'Bridge of Spies' connecting Berlin with Potsdam. See also OPERATION RAINBOW.