Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT), in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, completed the first flight of the U-2 Dragon Lady's Avionics Tech Refresh (ATR) program.
The successful first flight tested the new advanced capabilities aboard the U-2 as part of the ATR contract, including:
During this mission the aircraft successfully performed a low-altitude functional check flight to integrate new avionics, cabling and software.
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The ATR first flight marks a milestone in the U-2's modernization efforts and its path to be the first fully OMS-compliant fleet. Further testing will solidify a mature software baseline before mission systems are introduced to ensure both functionality and interoperability to meet operational needs.
The U-2 ATR contract was awarded by the U.S. Air Force in 2020 and valued at $50 million.