U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane appears in Polish skies.

Dragon Lady strategic reconnaissance aircraft was spotted flying through Polish airspace. This notable event was documented by aviation photographers, including Karol Prokopiuk, who captured the distinct image of the aircraft on March 10, 2024. The U-2, easily identifiable by the elongated shape of its nose and the unique configuration of its wings equipped with two reconnaissance equipment containers, was flying in an unknown direction over Poland, raising questions about the purpose of its presence.
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The U-2 is easily identifiable by the elongated shape of its nose and the unique configuration of its wings equipped with two reconnaissance equipment containers (Picture source: Karol Prokopiuk )

The exact nature and intent of this flight remain speculative, but this is not the first time the U-2's appearance has been recorded in the region, according to observer reports. Its capability for flights lasting up to 12 hours allows it to take off from any airbase located in the European part of NATO, leaving open the question of whether the aircraft is stationed in Poland.

The U-2 Dragon Lady stands out as a high-altitude strategic reconnaissance aircraft that, despite being one of the oldest in the US Air Force service, continues to receive multiple upgrades. Equipped with three compartments for reconnaissance equipment—two in the wings and one in the nose—it carries a multispectral camera, a radar surveillance system, and electronic intelligence equipment.

Capable of reaching altitudes up to 21,000 meters, the U-2 can conduct reconnaissance of targets and areas of interest with its multi-channel optical station and radar, while remaining out of reach of enemy air defense systems.

In February 2020, Lockheed Martin completed testing of a new SYERS-2C multispectral camera, now installed on U-2S reconnaissance aircraft. This camera, based on the principle of open architecture, can transmit data to fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor fighter jets. That same year, the US Air Force tested the integrated artificial intelligence system ARTUµ on a U-2 Dragon Lady, allowing the algorithm to operate a radar station and detect conditional enemy missile launchers during flight.

Defense News March 2024