This High-Altitude Surveillance Aircraft from the 1960s Still Serves in the US Air Force

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The U-2 Dragon Lady provided the U.S. Air Force with intelligence throughout the Cold War
• The U-2’s ability to fly at altitudes more than 75,000 feet made it almost impossible to detect or intercept by Soviet aircraft
• Currently, the U-2 is used for anything from monitoring military developments in hostile regions to assisting in humanitarian efforts
• Also: Discover the next Nvidia

The U-2 Dragon Lady is one of the most iconic reconnaissance aircraft in military history. Throughout the Cold War, the U-2 provided intel on Soviet operations around the world. Despite entering service all the way back in 1955, the Dragon Lady still sees service today in the U.S. Air Force.

Basically, the U-2 was designed to perform high-altitude surveillance missions. Its ability to fly at altitudes more than 75,000 feet made it almost impossible to detect or intercept by Soviet aircraft. ( This country flies the most MiG fighter jets, and it's not even close. )

These aircraft come equipped with advanced radar, infrared sensors, and signals intelligence equipment. However, these tools have been massively upgraded since the 1950s.

In the modern era, the U-2 continues to serve in the U.S. Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. While many of these missions have been taken over by drones or satellites, the U-2 still has value to the USAF. It is used for anything from monitoring military developments in hostile regions to assisting in humanitarian efforts. (These are the biggest drone defense companies. )

The U-2 performs a variety of missions for the U.S. Air Force, along with a number of other incredibly vital aircraft. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at some of the older aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's arsenal.

To identify the oldest aircraft currently in service of the U.S. Air Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website, and ranked the aircraft chronologically. Additionally, we’ve included supplemental information on the type of aircraft, top speed, how many are in active service, and armament. We excluded trainer aircraft.

Here is a look at the oldest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force: Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the aircraft in the US Air Force is important because these aircraft play a pivotal role in maintaining national security and global stability. Each aircraft is designed for specific missions, from air superiority to strategic bombing and reconnaissance, which are essential for defending the country and projecting power abroad. Also knowing which aircraft are in service give context to military capabilities and a better understanding of national defense.

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