US Air Force Wants the U-2 Spy Plane Retired in 2027 but Its ASARS-2 Radar Supported Until 2028

The U.S. Air Force is seeking industry input on continued repair and sustainment of the U-2's Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System-2, despite its proposal to retire the aircraft fleet by the end of fiscal 2027. A sources-sought notice anticipates a two-year extension of the existing support arrangement through September 2028, reflecting the service's limited rights to the radar's technical data. ASARS-2 provides long-range radar imagery and requires specialized maintenance as long as the equipment remains supported. The notice is a planning and market-research step; it does not confirm that U-2 retirement has been reversed or that a new award is signed.