Yes, the CIA Flew U-2 Spy Planes From U.S. Aircraft Carriers

*** Note: All of documents below were properly declassified before release to the public ***

U-2A/U-2G were specially modified and reinforced to handle tail hook and crash net landing stresses. The program continued on when the much larger U-2R was introduced in 1967 -- some 40% bigger than the U-2A or U-2G and with twice the range as well as four times the payload -- modifications included adding a wing-folding mechanism to fold the outer six feet of each wing for improved handling aboard ship. From 1973-1974, two U-2R airframes were modified with a forward-looking radar and infrared detection system for use in the ocean surveillance role. These U-2EPX aircraft were able to downlink radar data to surface ships to be melded with information from other land- and space-based sensors. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP75B00446R [login to see] 15-3.pdf


PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SGM (Join to see)
SFC William H. SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
MCPO Roger Collins Capt Tom Brown
CMDCM Gene Treants SCPO (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) COL Mikel J. Burroughs
CPT Jack Durish SGM (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) LTJG (Join to see)
RallyPoint Team LTC Stephen C.

Pretty impressive, but I think the landing (and takeoff) of a c-130 on a carrier still takes the cake.

I love this and just as crazy as putting b-25s on the USS Hornet in 1942.