Fast cars and a Cold War icon: U-2 spy planes keep watch on North Korea

Feb. 29, 2012, 6:26 AM EST

By PhotoBlog

The Associated Press reports from Osan air base, South Korea — As a sleek black U-2 roared back from a mission, Pontiac muscle cars zoomed along the runway to help it touch down using a low-tech method dating back more than half a century to when this Cold War-era aircraft was cutting-edge.

These "chase cars" race down the runway at speeds of more than 120 miles per hour to meet each landing and guide the pilot down.

They estimate the plane's distance from the ground in feet and radio that to the pilot — "Five ... five ... four ... three ... three" — until the plane is brought to a stall with about two feet to go and essentially drops down to the ground.

"It's notorious for being hard to land," the pilot said after climbing out of the cockpit.

But the legendary U-2 "Dragon Lady" remains one of Washington's most prized possessions on the Cold War's last hot front. Pumped up by a $1 billion overhaul, a trio of these piloted aircraft are proving they can still compete with the most futuristic drones on a crucial mission: spying on North Korea. Read more.

In this photo taken on Feb. 16, 2012, a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane takes off as a chase car stands by during a training flight at the U.S. airbase in Osan, south of Seoul, South Korea. For more than 35 years, the Cold War era aircraft has been one of Washington's only reliable windows into military movements inside North Korea. As the world watches for signs of instability during North Korea's transition to a new leadership, the U-2 operations are as important _ or more so _ than ever. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)Lee Jin-man / AP

In this photo taken on Feb. 16, 2012, U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane pilot Major Colby is assisted to put on a spacesuit and an astronaut-style fishbowl helmet for demonstration at the U.S. airbase in Osan, south of Seoul, South Korea. The long-winged, glider-likeLee Jin-man / AP

In this photo taken Feb. 16, 2012, a U.S. soldier checks a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane before takeoff during a training flight at the U.S. airbase in Osan, south of Seoul, South Korea. For more than 35 years, the Cold War era aircraft has been one of Washington's only reliable windows into military movements inside North Korea. As the world watches for signs of instability during North Korea's transition to a new leadership, the U-2 operations are as important _ or more so _ than ever. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)Lee Jin-man / AP

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