The reasons are straightforward enough, it's about cost:
Now the 31 operational U-2s in the USAF fleet are about to undergo a $50m (£37.8m) update and acquire a new mission which could see them fly on for another 30 more years.
$50 million would just get you a few flights of an SR-71 and its special fleet of dedicated tankers.
Now the 31 operational U-2s in the USAF fleet are about to undergo a $50m (£37.8m) update and acquire a new mission which could see them fly on for another 30 more years.
$50 million would just get you a few flights of an SR-71 and its special fleet of dedicated tankers.