For decades America had two critical tools to keep watch on places like North Korea, China, and The (then) Soviet Union. The high-speed, high flying SR-71 blackbirds were relegated to museums when it was claimed that satellites could do their work. That left an even older aircraft, originally known as the U2 - the one of Francis Gary Powers fame.
Soon there will be none. Satellites have picked up a lot of the work but cannot deal with close-up and personal observations as does the long-winged Lockheed. Also not nearly as useful in monitoring natural events like floods and hurricanes.
But soon there will be none:
Spy plane outlasts Cold War, but not defense cuts | Times Free Press
Too expensive. Not all that important to monitor America's potential enemies; not compared with the regime's critical need to monitor your every telephone conversation, E-mail, Facebook entry and tweet!
Priorities, y'know!
Soon there will be none. Satellites have picked up a lot of the work but cannot deal with close-up and personal observations as does the long-winged Lockheed. Also not nearly as useful in monitoring natural events like floods and hurricanes.
But soon there will be none:
Spy plane outlasts Cold War, but not defense cuts | Times Free Press
Too expensive. Not all that important to monitor America's potential enemies; not compared with the regime's critical need to monitor your every telephone conversation, E-mail, Facebook entry and tweet!
Priorities, y'know!
