Air Force Uses Teslas to Chase the U-2 Spy Plane

[deonb]

Enjoy:

Why the Air Force Is Using Teslas During U-2 Spy Plane Takeoffs

 

[vletnguyen]

Thats a very cool fun fact.

 

[Ciaopec]

Why the Air Force Is Using Teslas During U-2 Spy Plane Takeoffs

 

[HankLloydRight]

Cool!

 

[Lasttoy]

As ex AF plane mechanic with a S, this is so cool.

 

[ecarfan]

I do not understand what function the Tesla performs. It follows the plane for less than 5 seconds.

Now I regret not getting the "Auto Pilot Cruise at 70,000 ft" option. Damn it!

 

[thecloud]

I do not understand what function the Tesla performs. It follows the plane for less than 5 seconds.

The function of any spotter is to be an extra set of eyes for another vehicle that doesn't have full visibility. The article says they "watch for hazards and call out aircraft speed and other useful information," and since the pilot can't see the landing gear under the wings, the spotter car would presumably watch for malfunctioning gear or other problems out of the pilot's view.

This YouTube video explains it better than the article, I think.

 

[donv]

They used to use Mustang GTs, so it's cool to see them using a Tesla.

I chatted with a U-2 guy about this once. He said that the real issue was fatigue-- the missions they fly are so long that they felt it was just safer to have an extra set of eyes, particularly on landing.