U-2 Pioneers Open-mission Systems for U.S. Air Force | Aviation International News

U-2 Pioneers Open-mission Systems for U.S. Air Force

Sixty years after its first flight, the fabled spyplane is the testbed for revolutionary plug-and-play technology.

The U-2 that was equipped with Open Mission Systems takes off from Palmdale on a test flight. Seven new payloads were integrated in record time. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

September 6, 2015

The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is planning more test flights of an open-mission system (OMS) that promises true “plug and play” functionality for airborne communications, electronic warfare and sensor systems. The platform for the flights is the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, which has already demonstrated machine-to-machine integration in two series of flights since November last year. Military and contractor personnel and veterans of the U-2 program are currently celebrating the 60th anniversary of the famous spyplane, which remains a key reconnaissance asset for the U.S., although the Pentagon is planning its retirement in 2019-20.

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