After climbing to an altitude of 45,000ft (13,716m), the French pilot engaged his SEPR booster, which accelerated his Mirage to Mach 1.8, and enabled it to reach an altitude of 65,000ft (19,812m)…
The Lockheed U-2 is widely regarded as the most famous spy aircraft ever built, renowned for the daring missions its pilots carried out over or close to hostile territory. In fact, the audacious and highly provocative flights conducted by CIA-operated Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft over the Soviet Union came to symbolize the intense rivalry between the United States and the USSR during the early and mid-Cold War years.
However, as Krzysztof Dabrowsky explains in his book Hunt for the U-2: Interceptions of Lockheed U-2 Reconnaissance Aircraft over the USSR, Cuba, and the People’s Republic of China, 1959–1968, anyone who believes the U-2 was used only for reconnaissance missions over the USSR, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), or their allies would be seriously mistaken. In fact, the aircraft is known to have operated over several so-called “allied” nations as well, much like its predecessor, the RB-57.
In July 1963, two of the then newly introduced Dassault Mirage IIICJ interceptors reportedly intercepted a USAF RB-57A and compelled it to land at Lod International Airport in Israel. The high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft was en route from Saudi Arabia to Turkey and was engaged in observing the construction of Israel’s nuclear facility at Dimona.
In June 1967—one year after French President Charles de Gaulle pulled France out of NATO—French Air Force early warning radars picked up a U-2 heading toward one of the nation’s nuclear sites.
A Mirage IIIE from the 2nd Fighter Wing (2ème Escadre de Chasse) was quickly launched from Dijon Air Base to intercept the unidentified aircraft.
Fitted with the SEPR 841 rocket booster, the interceptor climbed dramatically into the sky, not with the intention of shooting down the American aircraft, but of photographing it. Such images were considered essential if Paris needed proof of an airspace violation in the event that the United States denied the intrusion.
After ascending to 45,000 feet (13,716 m), the French pilot activated the SEPR booster, driving his Mirage to Mach 1.8 and allowing it to climb to 65,000 feet (19,812 m). He then eased back slightly to Mach 1.7 and succeeded in overtaking the U-2, which was flying at Mach 0.9 almost directly over Dijon Air Base.
Despite wearing a bulky and uncomfortable high-altitude suit, he was able to take a photograph using an “ordinary civilian camera” before almost colliding with his “target” as he tried to keep it centered in the camera’s viewfinder. With fuel running dangerously low after the steep, high-speed climb, the Mirage pilot then shut off the booster and glided back to base.
Although the U.S. pilot was almost certainly alerted to the interception, since all U-2s were fitted with advanced ECM systems, the aircraft made no attempt to evade.
According to French sources, the U-2 pilot was likely deeply startled by what followed—first by the supersonic shock wave from the French interceptor, and then by the Mirage streaking beneath the nose of his aircraft. What is certain, however, is that the United States ended all subsequent overflights of France and did not resume them until years later, this time using Mach 3-capable Lockheed SR-71As flying at 75,000 feet (22,860 m).
Hunt for the U-2 Interceptions of Lockheed U-2 Reconnaissance aircraft over USSR, Cuba, and People’s Republic of China, 1959-1968 is published by Helion & Company and is available to order here.
Photo by French Air Force via FAST Museum Twitter Account and U.S. Air Force
