JETs Vol. 25-35: EP-X Project Highboy

The U-2 is a legendary aircraft that has stood the test of time.

The U-2’s use and testing aboard aircraft carriers is not a secret. The CIA/NRO first evaluated the Dragon Lady aboard USN carriers with the U-2C, which was modified into what is known as the U-2G. The aircraft was used operationally (from the boat) on at least one occasion. 

With the introduction of the U-2R (a much more capable and larger aircraft) in the late 60s, the agency revisited operating the type from aircraft carriers. The R proved to be an easier aircraft to handle for shipboard operations, and further testing of specialized equipment took place under “Project Highboy.” The resultant airframe was known as the EP-X (Electronics Patrol – Experimental). A single U-2R (article 061) was loaned to the Navy for evaluation and fitted with all-new sensors and cameras in the nose/radome and in pods on each wing. A second U-2R (article 052) was also used as a testbed for the new hardware. The aircraft and sensor suite performed well but the program was ultimately cancelled when the CIA discontinued its use of the aircraft under the Idealist Program. 

FOIA documents we reviewed for this project indicate a third attempt was made to find a shipboard home for the Dragon Lady, but there is no official record of this happening. 

JETs Vol. 25-35 was cut from two wing pod components (NRX-11 and NRX80-2) marked “Unit 2” that were used in Project Highboy aboard the Navy’s EP-X test aircraft. These components formed the most forward portion of the underwing pods used on the EP-X. What makes this material stand out is that it was dedicated hardware for this Top Secret program, and served only aboard EP-X aircraft.

A total of 6 variants are offered: NRX-11 Green (single layer exterior skin), NRX-11 Black (exterior skin with remnants of black paint), NRX-11 Rivets (exterior skin with rivets), NRX80-2 Black (solid black composite), NRX80-2 Sensor (thick multilayer sensor head tags), and NRX80-2 Multi-Material (composite + aluminum + rivets) .All tags are laser etched and come on a card by BVR. 

A couple combos are available; one features NC-130B C/N 3507 which was released in conjunction with the EP-X:

EP-X / NC-130B JETs Combo: NRX-11 Green Rivets EP-X + NC-130B Camera Housing

EP-X JETs / Air Drops Combo: NRX-11 Green JET + AD516 Stamp

Only 225 EP-X JETs are available. Many variants are extremely limited.