80-1099 was photographed in flight for the first time in 17 years after being heavily damaged in a hydrazine fire in 2008.

Aviation enthusiasts captured the aircraft in flight from Palmdale Airport, California, with the frame noticeably looking clean and ‘fresh’ compared to those that have been in regular use. Steven Fortson, who posts on X/Twitter as Zaphod58 , reports that the U-2’s first post-rebuild flight took place on Aug. 18, 2025. The repair and rebuild took place at Site 2 at Palmdale’s famous Plant 42, where the U-2 fleet receives Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM). Contents 80-1099 was photographed in flight for the first time in 17 years after being heavily damaged in a hydrazine fire in 2008. U-2’s Proposed Withdrawal

80-1099 took off from the facility, which shar

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