Because U-2s were supposed to be secret, it would be hard to conceal them among a few thousand sailors, aviators, and Marines, to say nothing of the escorting destroyers and auxiliary vessels that supported a flattop. That was very convenient, for normally the film was packed up in a C-47 and flown express to the States. The U-2’s camera film could also be developed at sea using special equipment and an Eastman Kodak technical team. Because the ships were American property, the spy planes would not have to fly out of foreign bases. In July 1963, the Central Intelligence Agency looked into the benefits of using carriers to launch and recover their top-secret U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. The military and government had toyed with this idea for years. Who can say what else you can support, launch, and recover on a modern carrier? The shiny new carrier will eventually put to sea with a whole new generation of aircraft, not only the evolved F/A-18E-F Super Hornet, but the F-35C Lighting II, and in February hosted a test for the Blue Water aerial logistics drone. Ford (CVN-78) is almost done with trials, having recently completed combat systems tests and plenty of other criteria that proves how much the Navy loves to check things off on clipboards.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |