There is one particular thing about a sophisticated American spy plane Lockheed U2.
Different from other military aircrafts, this spy plane is able to fly at extremely high altitude
and have its pilot looks like an astronaut whenever it flies. Pilots flying U2 have
to dress in a special yellow space suit. What is actually the reason behind this?
Hello everyone. You are watching another episode of Military TV.
In this episode, we will discuss “Why the U-2 pilots wear yellow
space suit?”. If you are eager to know more, don’t go anywhere and stay tuned.
The Lockheed U2, widely known by its nickname “Dragon Lady”, is an American single-jet engine,
reconnaissance aircraft managed by the United States Air Force (USAF)
which flies at high altitude and has the mission of gathering all-weather intelligence through
the day and night. It was previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
A state-of-the-art spy plane, U2 was designed to carry the mission of aerial reconnaissance
with duties ranging from collecting imagery, measurement and signature, as well as signals
intelligence. It was built to fly at 70,000 ft to avoid being detected by radar or
encountering enemy attack. No other aircraft had ever flown as high as the U2. Due to this reason,
the clothing of U2 pilots is essential to their survival since the spy plane has absolutely
different atmospheric condition when being flown. Pilots flying near the edge of the atmosphere
requires a unique and custom-fit suit to maintain a normal condition at extreme elevations.
Due to constantly being at such high altitude, the cabin of U2 plane is pressurized.
However, to ensure the safety and security of the pilots, they are still required to
wear the customized yellow space suit. If the cabin’s pressurization fails,
the space suit worn by the pilots will come into play. It will supply sufficient oxygen
to the pilots in the occasion of cabin pressure loss. That is why the yellow space suit which
makes pilots looking like an astronaut is actually their last line of defense.
Initially, the suits were created from mould. But thanks to the advance of technology,
the making of U2 space suit has now shifted to 3D printing. To measure the pilots’ body, laser body
scans and 3D anthropometric are utilized. The suit also complemented with a specific helmet which is
equipped with a tube connected to the feeding port in order to feed the pilot and keep them
stay hydrated. It is known that once the suit and the helmet has been worn and locked down,
it cannot be put off until the aircraft finishes its journey and lands.
The yellow space suits are primarily prepared by the Physiological Support Division (PSD)
of the U.S. Air Force. The crews assure the suit’s readiness, as well as helping
the pilot to wear it. Prior to the flight, the pilot is also required to breathe 100%
oxygen an hour before the take off. This is principally to remove the nitrogen in the blood
in order to reduce the risk of sickness made possible by decompression. Because the suit is
such an important and expensive equipment, constant inspection is needed to ensure the
safety of the pilots who wear them. The PSD crew will inspect the suit one day before the flight,
and then inspect it again when the pilot wears it and when the pilot sit at the aircraft.
They also complete the inspection with a post-flight examination before landing.
The thorough inspection also being carried out by David Clark Company,
the sole manufacturer of flight suits for U-2 pilots since its first flight.
They also put extra attention in the making of the suit. In producing, each piece of the suit
is inspected, tested and retested just as examining the maintenance of an airplane.
They also keep on improving the suit to make it lighter and comfortable.
That’s all for today. Thank you for watching and see you in the next episode!