United States aerial reconnaissance of the Soviet Union

This article is about overflights with fixed-wing aircraft from 1946 to 1960. For non-overflight aerial methods and for space methods, see National Reconnaissance Office.
U-2A reconnaissance aircraft, late 1950s

Between 1946 and 1960, the United States Air Force conducted aerial reconnaissance flights over the Soviet Union in order to determine the size, composition, and disposition of Soviet forces. Aircraft used included the Boeing B-47 Stratojet bomber and—from 1956—the Lockheed U-2 spy plane specifically designed for high-altitude reconnaissance flight. The overflight program was ended following the 1960 U-2 incident.