Although manned aircraft leave their places to unmanned aerial vehicles in reconnaissance missions, manned reconnaissance missions are still crucial. That's why Dragon Lady, one of the most iconic platforms of the Cold War, continues to change to keep up with the age.
The US Air Force (USAF) announced the completion of the SYERS (Senior Year Electro-Optical Reconnaissance System) -2C modernisation activities for U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft, which carried out by in cooperation with Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. With the modernization of SYERS, which constitutes the main electro-optic equipment of U-2s that perform their activities by flying from high altitudes, the recon and surveillance capability of the aircraft has been significantly increased.
Electrooptical performance of U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft has been increased with the SYERS-2C upgrade. Thus, the platforms, will continue to form the backbone of the US high altitude ISR (Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance) power in modern combat conditions with a detect, surveillance and tracking capability from a long range in all weather conditions.
