U.S. refuses to spy plane U-2

"In 2015 fiscal year the Air Force U-2 plane would not" – said Lt. Col. Rick Thomas, who is in the U.S. Air Force program one of the leaders of the UAV Global Hawk. But he expressed confidence that American specialists are able to bring the capabilities of sensors that are equipped with Global Hawk, to the level of U-2. These spy planes were designed in the early 50s. U-2 capable of rising to a height of 24 km. Placed on them, optics and electronics produce more precise information than satellite. The aircraft is equipped with a camera that allows do panoramic high-resolution imagery covering an angle of 140 degrees. The size of each frame it is 63 inches by 5 inches (approximately 160 cm by 12 cm). U-2 is about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the film weighing about 100 pounds (45 kg). For one hour a U-2 can take pictures of plot area area of 15 thousand square kilometers. One of these aircraft, piloted by Francis Gary Powers was shot down in May 1960 over the Urals Soviet anti-aircraft missile, according to ITAR-TASS. As recognized by Thomas, to be installed on Global Hawk UAV camera that uses the U-2 would require structural changes to both systems. The expert stated he did not know whether the apparatus Global Hawk continue to be used or film will move to fully digital technology. Thomas also assured that the cost of vehicle Global Hawk due to his continuous "tuning" is gradually reduced. One hour of operating the U-2 costs U.S. 31,000 dollars, the UAV Global Hawk – of 35 000.