A U-2 Phenomenon: America’s Secret Spy Plane

The U-2 spy plane has been around since the 1950s and has played a key part in some of the most famous military campaigns in history from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Gulf War.

Reaching heights of more than 70,000ft, it is an aircraft that can sit on the edge of space.

With its 1950s camera, it continues to take photographs that can reveal dirt patterns for IEDs and other devices.

Forces News has been given rare access to Beale Air Force Base in California – home to the unique airplane known to the US Air Force as 'The Dragon Lady'.

Check out our long read at the top of this page, or watch the full documentary on our Youtube channel.