Lockheed, USAF partner to complete U-2 avionics upgrade

The Avionics Tech Refresh (ATR) program features a modernisation of the U-2’s onboard systems including updated avionics suite with communications, navigation and display, a modern cockpit with enhanced presentation of data, as well as a new mission computer designed to integrate with systems across air, space, sea, land, and cyber domains.

Sean Thatcher, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works U-2 Avionics Tech Refresh program manager, said the ATR first flight marks a milestone in U-2’s modernisation efforts and its path to be the first fully open mission systems-compliant fleet.

“The successful first flight of the U-2 Avionics Tech Refresh is a significant moment in our journey to rapidly and affordably field new capabilities,” Thatcher said.

“Leveraging the platform’s open architecture, we’re expediting these capabilities needed for the future Joint All-Domain Operations battlespace.”

Further testing will solidify a mature software baseline before mission systems are introduced to ensure both functionality and interoperability to meet operational needs, he said.

The U-2 ATR contract was originally awarded by the US Air Force in 2020 and valued at $50 million.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.