This muscle car is crucial to helping the U-2 spy plane land

By Stephen Edelstein August 29, 2017

Who said muscle cars don’t have a practical purpose?

For decades, the U.S. Air Force has used fast cars to help pilots of the Lockheed Martin U-2 spy plane land. In service since the early days of the Cold War, the U-2 is notoriously difficult to land, earning it the nickname “Dragon Lady” and leading the Air Force to institute some very special procedures.

Chase cars like the Pontiac GTO in this video from YouTube user TopFelya accompany U-2s on the runway. They’re driven by pilots who provide information to the person in the cockpit. It really is the perfect use for an American muscle car.

This is usually just a precaution for takeoffs, according to The Drive, but it is absolutely necessary for landings. The U-2’s glider-like wings were designed to help it claw onto thin air at high altitudes, but they make landing tricky. Their high-lift characteristics mean the pilot essentially has to stall the plane a few feet over the runway to land. The U-2 is also very susceptible to crosswinds, and its massive wings can droop close to the ground (they actually do rest on the ground once the plane has come to a stop).

That’s why the Air Force uses chase cars. A U-2 pilot is stationed in one of these cars at the end of the runway, and speeds off in pursuit once the plane approaches. The driver calls out relevant information to help guide the pilot into a safe landing. Because the chase car needs to catch up to the plane in order to do that, they must be fast.

In addition to the Pontiac GTO (the last generation, that was actually a disguised Holden Commodore) the Air Force has used the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and the Pontiac G8 as U-2 chase cars. A Tesla Model S was even spotted shadowing a U-2 on takeoff at a British military base recently. The U-2 has been in service for around 60 years, but it could still outlast all of those V8 muscle cars. Even in an electric-powered future, there will always be a need for fast cars.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.