Editing Lockheed U-2 (section)

====U-2 carrier operations====
At one time, in an effort to extend the U-2's operating range and to eliminate the need for foreign government approval for U-2 operations from USAF bases in foreign countries, it was suggested that the U-2 be operated from aircraft carriers. Three aircraft were converted for carrier operations by the installation of arrester hooks, and carrier-qualified naval aviators were recruited to fly them.

It turned out to be possible to take off and land a U-2 from a carrier. Testing in 1964 with the [[USS Ranger (CV-61)|USS ''Ranger'']] and in 1969 with the [[USS America (CV-66)|USS ''America'']] proved the concept. The only operational carrier use occurred in May 1964 when a U-2, operating from USS ''Ranger'', was used to spy on a French atomic test in the Pacific.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kristinhillartist.com/FishHawk_article.html |title=Operation Fish Hawk – Secret CIA mission – U-2 reconnaissance flight – 1964 French nuclear test on Mururoa Atoll |website=kristinhillartist.com |author=Kristin Hill |date=2014 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=20 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820210636/http://www.kristinhillartist.com/FishHawk_article.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://theaviationist.com/2015/06/28/u-2-carrier-operations-story/|title = Project Whale Tale: The story of how the U-2 became an embarked reconnaissance aircraft|date = 28 June 2015|access-date = 21 May 2017|archive-date = 20 July 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170720085120/https://theaviationist.com/2015/06/28/u-2-carrier-operations-story/|url-status = live}}</ref> The [[Lockheed C-130]] was also tested for carrier use to support U-2 sea deployments.<ref name="carroll20220203">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1frJ2V8LTEs |title=Here's How a Fighter Pilot Landed a Cargo Plane on a Carrier |date=2022-02-03 |last=Carroll |first=Ward |type=video |language=en-US |publisher=YouTube |access-date=12 July 2022 |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712082158/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1frJ2V8LTEs&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1969, the larger U-2Rs were flown from the carrier {{USS|America|CV-66|2}}. The U-2 carrier program is believed to have been halted after 1969.<ref>{{YouTube|I_3WeYXDKQ0|"Video of U-2R landing on the USS ''America'' in 1969."}}. Retrieved: 26 December 2009</ref>