The US Air Force, through Robins Air Force Base, has awarded BAE Systems a contract to upgrade the electronic warfare suite of the U-2 “Dragon Lady” aircraft.
Under the agreement, BAE will provide ongoing field support for the AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System, along with repairs and software enhancements to improve the aircraft’s situational awareness and self-protection capabilities. While the contract value has not been disclosed, the work will be carried out at BAE’s facility in Nashua.
The AN/ALQ-221 system integrates long-range sensors, onboard processing, a radar warning receiver, and electronic countermeasures, enabling the reconnaissance aircraft to operate effectively in contested environments.
The Lockheed U-2, originally developed in secrecy during the 1950s by Kelly Johnson and Lockheed Skunk Works, has undergone multiple upgrades over the decades. A recent modernization included improved avionics, communications, and cockpit systems, with the updated version flying in September 2023.
The high-altitude, single-seat aircraft measures 63 feet in length and is powered by a General Electric F118-101 engine, enabling it to operate above 70,000 feet, travel over 7,000 miles, and reach speeds of up to 660 km/h.
Historically, the U-2 played a critical role in Cold War intelligence missions over the Soviet Union, including capturing imagery of nuclear missile deployments in Cuba in 1962. It has since supported operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq, as well as humanitarian and reconnaissance missions during peacetime.
