I would think that it is because this is a demonstartor. If they decided to give this thing a new paint job and actually start using it for bombing missions then will make changes, probably add some stealth components that aren't already there and classify anything done after the flight demonstration phase.

You can see that they are burning out in this article [www.reuters.com] so I think they probably take it pretty seriously.

Why can't it be both?

Ok, I just looked that up and after getting over my bouts of laughing... I mean... I can't believe that is an actual condition. I understand why it would be an issue if it happened, but I just can't believe it is.

Well first they can't die during a drone mission, so cost over mission goes down.

Wait... hold on.... I can't... are you serious?... lol

"The idea of entire tour groups clogging the sidewalk is pretty funny though. "

I don't know, they were flying them over Libya as recently as the late 90's. Either way they are retired so I guess that is moot

Also, I don't know the exact number but it costs a LOT to train a pilot. When you look at the time in simulators, time in flight school, time spent logging hours using really expensive equipment that needs to be purchased and maintained just for training, that can really add up.

yeah because I know that many athletic 16 year old girls who would love to just spend all day at home, not go to school and hang out with friends / go to parties and tell the world they have something seriously wrong with them.

Koro was casued by an environmental facotor; eating the dead.

My god you know too many details about this crap, I was more referencing the fact that Iran would not be using cutting edge stuff, and used their inability to get the best tech from Russia as an example.

I get why you feel personally attacked but the rules on moving around an urban city (outside of the South) comes from the fact that life moves faster in these places.

I understand your points and I agree with them. You should also keep in mind that you plan the mission and equipment for the enemy you face. The U2 would be able to evade the SA2 systems that Iran has for example, as they have yet to receive the more advanced SA3 systems from Russia which are intended to take on…

You can modify it to fly higher but I get what you are saying. Long story short the global hawk was envisioned as a long duration loiter recon vehicle, something which is now being done by dirigibles and other drone platforms.

Hi, you are what we in NY like to call a "tourist", I hope I am pronouncing that right. The rough definition is: people that have no concept of the generally accepted courtesies and behaviors you should use when moving in a crowded city.

I was referring to the modern variants, not the planes used in the 1960's.

Last time I checked they were using a different variant of the U2 then the one Powers was shot down in since the new one was more capable of evading enemy anti-air.

There is something else here that the author hasn't gone into; the mission has changed.

A W E S O M E :)