Editing Lockheed U-2 (section)

===Possible successor===
In August 2015, the 60th anniversary of the U-2 program, Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works revealed they were internally developing a successor to the U-2, referred to as the UQ-2 or RQ-X, combining features from both the manned U-2 and unmanned [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk]] and improving upon them. Disclosed details say the design is essentially an improved U-2 airframe with the same engine, service ceiling, sensors, and cockpit, with the main differences being an optional manning capability (something Lockheed has proposed for the U-2 to the USAF several times, but has never gained traction) and low-observable characteristics. The USAF has no requirement or schedule for a next-generation [[High-Altitude Long Endurance]] (HALE) platform, but Lockheed sees a future need and wants something in development early. The company's last attempt to create a stealth unmanned aircraft was the [[RQ-3 DarkStar]], which never made it past flight testing and was canceled.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drew |first=James |date=2015-08-19 |title=Lockheed Skunk Works designing next-gen U-2 spy plane |language=en |work=Flightglobal.com |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/lockheed-skunk-works-designing-next-gen-u-2-spy-plane/117966.article |access-date=21 July 2023 |archive-date=25 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925093812/https://www.flightglobal.com/lockheed-skunk-works-designing-next-gen-u-2-spy-plane/117966.article |url-status=live }}</ref> Plans for a U-2 replacement would not conflict with the development of the [[Lockheed Martin SR-72|SR-72]], another project by the company to create a [[hypersonic]] unmanned surveillance plane, as it would be suited for missions that require greater speed for time-sensitive targets.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Colin |date=2015-08-19 |title=Will Lockheed Build A Stealthy U-2 Successor? |language=en-US |work=Breakingdefense.com |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2015/08/will-lockheed-build-a-stealthy-u-2-successor/ |access-date=21 July 2023 |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721003348/https://breakingdefense.com/2015/08/will-lockheed-build-a-stealthy-u-2-successor/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The company released a notional artist's impression of the TR-X aircraft at an Air Force Association conference in Washington on 14 September 2015. Its name was changed to mean "tactical reconnaissance" to reflect its purpose as an affordable peace and wartime [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance#ISR|intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance]] (ISR) aircraft, distinguishing it from strategic, penetrating SR-71-class platforms; TR is a reference to the short-lived rebranding of the U-2 as the TR-1 in the 1980s. Size, and thus cost, is kept down by having less endurance than the Global Hawk at around 20 hours, which is still about the same time as a normal RQ-4 sortie even though it is capable of flying for 34 hours. The TR-X concept is aimed squarely at USAF needs and is not currently being marketed to the CIA or other government agencies. It would have increased power and cooling to accommodate new sensors, communication equipment, [[electronic warfare]] suites, and perhaps offensive or defensive [[laser weapon]]s. TR-X could be ready for service in the 2025 timeframe, with a fleet of 25–30 aircraft proposed to replace the nearly 40-aircraft mix of U-2s and RQ-4s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drew |first=James |date=2015-09-14 |title=Lockheed Skunk Works' next-generation U-2 morphs into 'TR-X' |language=en |work=Flightglobal.com |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/lockheed-skunk-works-next-generation-u-2-morphs-into-tr-x/118179.article |access-date=7 December 2015 |archive-date=9 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409132647/https://www.flightglobal.com/lockheed-skunk-works-next-generation-u-2-morphs-into-tr-x/118179.article |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pocock |first=Chris |date=September 13, 2015 |title=TR-X: The Skunk Works Studies A New High-Altitude Jet |language=en |work=Aviation International News |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-09-13/tr-x-skunk-works-studies-new-high-altitude-jet |access-date=7 December 2015 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019065441/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-09-13/tr-x-skunk-works-studies-new-high-altitude-jet |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Malenic |first=Marina |date=17 September 2015 |title=AFA 2015: Lockheed Martin pitches TR-X to replace U-2 |work=janes.com |url=http://www.janes.com/article/54440/afa-2015-lockheed-martin-pitches-tr-x-to-replace-u-2 |url-status=dead |access-date=7 December 2015 |archive-date=20 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120045651/http://www.janes.com/article/54440/afa-2015-lockheed-martin-pitches-tr-x-to-replace-u-2 }}</ref>

Lockheed Martin revealed more specifications about the TR-X concept at a 15 March 2016 media day, confirming the aircraft would be unmanned and air refuelable. Its maximum takeoff weight would be greater than either the U-2's or RQ-4's at around {{convert|54000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, with a {{convert|5000|lb|kg|adj=on}} payload and {{convert|130|ft|m|adj=on}} wingspan. It will use the same F118-101 turbofan and generator as the U-2, but thrust could increase to {{convert|19000|lb}} and power increased to 65–75 kVA; service ceiling would increase to {{convert|77000|ft|m|abbr=on}} with a second engine. The TR-X is meant to be "survivable, not unnoticeable", operating outside of enemy air defense bubbles rather than penetrating into them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carey |first=Bill |date=2016-03-24 |title=Lockheed Martin Shares More Insight, But No Images of TR-X |language=en |work=Ainonline.com |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-03-24/lockheed-martin-shares-more-insight-no-images-tr-x |access-date=2023-07-21 |archive-date=20 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820211757/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-03-24/lockheed-martin-shares-more-insight-no-images-tr-x |url-status=live }}</ref>