Cold War Aerial Reconnaissance and the U-2

What was the primary reason for the development of the U-2 aircraft?

• To engage in aerial dogfights with Soviet aircraft

• To perform high-speed bombing missions

• To conduct high-altitude reconnaissance over the Soviet Union

• To transport troops across enemy lines

Which engineer and his team were responsible for the design of the U-2?

• Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project

• Wernher von Braun and NASA

• Clarence Kelly Johnson and the Skunkworks

• Howard Hughes and the Hughes Aircraft Company

What was a significant challenge faced by pilots flying the U-2?

• Handling the aircraft in thin air at high altitudes

• Flying at low altitudes to avoid detection

• Landing on aircraft carriers

• Navigating through dense forests

What was the outcome of Francis Gary Powers' U-2 mission over the Soviet Union?

• He successfully completed the mission and returned safely

• He was shot down and captured by the Soviets

• He defected to the Soviet Union

• He was rescued by American forces

What was the political consequence of the U-2 incident involving Francis Gary Powers?

• Resulted in a US military invasion of the Soviet Union

• Caused the collapse of the Paris Summit

• Led to the signing of a peace treaty

• Strengthened US-Soviet relations

What was the Bay of Pigs invasion?

• A diplomatic meeting between the US and Cuba

• A failed attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro

• A successful US military operation in Cuba

• A Soviet invasion of the United States

What critical information did the U-2 provide during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

• Plans for a Soviet invasion of the US

• Details of a Soviet peace proposal

• Locations of Soviet submarines

• Evidence of Soviet missiles in Cuba

What was the US response to the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba?

• Immediate military invasion of Cuba

• Naval blockade and diplomatic negotiations

• Withdrawal of US forces from Europe

• Launch of nuclear missiles at the Soviet Union

Why is the U-2 still considered valuable despite advancements in technology?

• It can fly undetected by radar

• It is faster than modern jets

• It is cheaper to operate than drones

• It provides flexible and timely intelligence

What is a limitation of satellite reconnaissance compared to the U-2?

• Satellites require constant maintenance

• Satellites are predictable in their orbits

• Satellites cannot capture images at night

• Satellites are unable to detect nuclear weapons