Hey First Shirt: 848 had a Boo-Boo

[randy]

And I still think there are better collection platforms, that are cheaper to operate. But the zipper-suited sun gods won't ever give up the manned platform.

Actually, I'm looking for the U-2s to be replaced first by something like an upgraded Global Hawk.

USAF is looking at replacing the E-8 (JSTARS) with a "business type jet" (in Pentagon speak that's a 737 type (think P-8 Poseidon), not Lear jet). So that might be a peek into what they are considering for the RJ fleet when it's time.

I personally like the idea of retaining some platform with onboard analytical capability against the day when we go up against someone that can take out the satellite based high bandwidth data links and operations are out of line of site of a ground control station.

[SoupOrMan]

I read through the article. Sheesh, my dad may have flown on that bird some time between 1968 and 1971...