JS>               U-2 flights over Iraq pose little risk
JS>          Spy plane a difficult target for missiles to hit
JS>                 By Bob Windrem - NBC NEWS PRODUCER
JS>     ASIDE FROM THE shooting of Gary Francis Power's U-2 over the
JS> Soviet Union on May 3, 1960, only nine other U-2s have been brought
JS> down by enemy fire.  And of that total, only one was piloted by an
JS> American.
JS>     One reason for Cohen's confidence is that the U-2 flies higher
JS> than any other aircraft in the skies today; it's capable of reaching
JS> altitudes substantially above 80,000 feet. Not only is that altitude
JS> beyond the range of most surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, but,
    One would think that in the 37 years since Powers' shoot down,
    the SAM capabilities would have been considerably improved.
JS> says William E. Burrows of New York University, who has written ex-
JS> tensively about the U-2, "the fins on the missiles, especially the
JS> air-to-air missiles, are so small that they cannot make the tight
JS> turns in the thin air above 50,000 feet."
    The SAMs may have proximity fuses, so, even if they miss,
    they can still bring the aircraft down.
    In addition, the U-2 is also limited in its ability to
    try to out turn a missile. Since I don't have access to
    specific information about the capabilities of the U-2,
    and wouldn't specify even if I did know, I can only speak
    in general terms. The U-2, as in all aircraft, has a
    limiting mach number, or speed limit. At high altitudes
    this also limits the turning capability of the U-2.
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 * SLMR 2.1a * - Once you've made all the mistakes, you're an expert.
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