U.S. Air Force Sets New Flight Record for U-2

Aircraft soared across all 48 contiguous states in late July.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 01:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Cory 'ULTRALORD' Bartholomew and 'Lt. Col. JETHRO' of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron celebrate after landing a 9th Reconnaissance Wing TU-2S Dragon Lady at Beale Air Force Base, California. [Credit: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Frederick A. Brown]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force conducted a historic 14-hour flight of a TU-2S U-2 spy plane across all 48 contiguous U.S. states in July, covering over 6,000 nautical miles.
This record-breaking mission pushed the U-2's operational range and its pilots' physiological limits, marking the longest single flight for the aircraft since its 1955 maiden voyage.
Planned for over a decade, the flight showcased the U-2's enduring capabilities ahead of its 70th anniversary, despite its anticipated retirement in 2026.

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The U.S. Air Force pushed the limits of its storied U-2 spy airplane and the aircraft’s crew in July with a record-breaking 14-hour flight across the U.S.

According to officials at Beale Air Force Base in California, a two-seat U-2 variant known as the TU-2S from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing flew across all 48 contiguous U.S. states on July 31, covering over 6,000 nm. It was the longest single flight flown by a U-2 since its maiden flight in 1955.