What could fly AT FL660?
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What could fly AT FL660?
There I was fat dumb and happy, flying across southern Japan at FL 400, when I saw a contrail waay above us. Then I heard someone (with an American accent) asking for a block of airspace between FL600 and FL660. What could possibly fly that high? The only plane I can think of is a U2. Do these fly yet? What else could that be?
From wiki
As an aside, I Googled 'U2' and just got page after page about some bloody Irish pop group 
In late 2014, Lockheed Martin proposed an unmanned U-2 version with greater payload capability, but the concept did not gain traction with the USAF. In early 2015, the USAF was directed to restart modest funding for the U-2 for operations and research, development, and procurement through to FY 2018. The former head of the USAF Air Combat Command, Gen. Mike Hostage helped extend the U-2S to ensure commanders receive sufficient intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage; stating "it will take eight years before the RQ-4 Global Hawk fleet can support 90% of the coverage of the U-2 fleet. Although the RQ-4 is planned to replace the U-2 by 2019, Lockheed claims it can remain viable until 2050.
The clue will be in how this gentleman sounded over the radio. In my experience the U2 guys have quite a distinctive sound when they transmit on the radio owing to their unique aircrew equipment; if he sounds like he is transmitting in a pressurised suit then likely U2, if not then likely RQ-4. Raptor could probably get there too and are in Japan, but can't imagine they would enjoy messing around in the block.
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Thanks guys. The guy sounded normal, so perhaps it was an RQ4. I also thought of a Raptor, but my F/O was ex-FJ and said that while these could theoretically get there, there's no reason in doing so...
Re the U2 retirement
https://www.dodbuzz.com/2017/05/23/a...u-2-spy-plane/
The U2s are based in Korea at Osan, so more likely to be an RQ4 out of Yokota Air Base
https://www.dodbuzz.com/2017/05/23/a...u-2-spy-plane/
The U2s are based in Korea at Osan, so more likely to be an RQ4 out of Yokota Air Base
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NASA's WB57s are more than capable of that too, and as (ahem!) "Weather Research" aircraft they are uniquely equipped for taking pictures of "weather" rockets are in one piece or not at great altitudes. U2s are optimised to look down, not up. And who is contentiously firing off rockets into the Sea of Japan?
Just a wild guess though, but I suspect not entirely unfeasible.
Just a wild guess though, but I suspect not entirely unfeasible.
Back about 12 years ago, I often watched traffic routing northbound over the London area indicating FL660 on mode C; always assumed they were TR1s/U2s bound for Mildenhall.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
I once handed over a Lightning to Midland Radar on the edge of the dive arc, VFR, for a fuel priority recovery. "Throw him across to Stud 4", says he.
I just neglected to add that he was VFR above the MRSA descending through about FL660*.
Wasn't very happy the next time I spoke to him......
(* MRSA at the time, IRRC went up to FL600. Lightnings were in their last few weeks and every one was doing high speed runs and pulling to go ballistic to see how high they could go.....)
I just neglected to add that he was VFR above the MRSA descending through about FL660*.
Wasn't very happy the next time I spoke to him......
(* MRSA at the time, IRRC went up to FL600. Lightnings were in their last few weeks and every one was doing high speed runs and pulling to go ballistic to see how high they could go.....)
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Some years ago whilst sat in the mighty Nimrod in Oman eating doughnuts, I mean conducting my pre-flight checks, I heard an Omani chap on UHF Guard saying "unknown aircraft in position xyz, FL600, identify yourself". Nothing was heard so he said "unknown aircraft I will send my aircraft to intercept you unless you identify yourself". Again nothing was heard. I looked out of the window and gazed at the Jaguars on QRA. Good luck with that I thought......
I think phoning multiple ATC agencies would confuse them somewhat, even if you get past the 'Push 1 to speak to our next available assistant'. Best to stick with the radio and talk to them as per normal.
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Some decades ago, when there was no-one above FL400 except us, the few crews sent over the N Atlantic cruise-climbed anyway, and when the F89s out of Goose intercepted they could only look up.