Illustration for article titled Heres A Practical Use For A Tesla Model S: A U-2 Spy Plane Chase Car

Designed in the 1950s and still used today, the Lockheed U-2 (nicknamed Dragon Lady) is a super specialized, high-altitude spy plane. It’s light enough to fly at 70,000 feet, but notoriously difficult to operate. Especially land. Landing is a bitch and a half. That’s where a Tesla Model S comes in.


The easiest way to land a U-2, the Air Force eventually discovered, was to have a chase car on the ground along with a group of spotters, acting as eyes for the U-2 pilot. And these chase cars needed to be fast to keep up with the incoming aircraft. Back in 2010, we took a closer look at how this was done:



In the past, the USAF has used Pontiac GTOs, Chevrolet El Caminos and Camaros. They needed cars that could accelerate fast and reach speeds of about 140 mph, all while staying in close behind the plane, all while at the same time keeping way clear of it.

And now it seems that the Tesla Model S is being used as a chase car. In a video uploaded last week by YouTuber Elliot Langram, we can see a Model S following a U-2S during takeoff at the RAF Fairford base.

With a top speed of a claimed 155 mph and a zero to 60 time of at least 3.2 seconds (it’s unclear which Model S is being used in the video), the Tesla definitely seems like a good pick to keep up with the U-2.

For all of you wondering if cars can catch planes, here’s your proof.

via Electrek

Writer at Jalopnik and consumer of many noodles.

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