Lockheed U-2 vs MiG-21bis
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The MiG-21bis is faster: 2,175 km/h against 805 km/h for the Lockheed U-2. The Lockheed U-2 flies further: 10,300 km against 1,210 km for the MiG-21bis. The Lockheed U-2 has the wider wingspan: 31.4 m against 7.2 m for the MiG-21bis. The Lockheed U-2 is heavier at takeoff: 18 tonnes against 10 tonnes for the MiG-21bis. Both first flew in 1955.
| Lockheed U-2 | MiG-21bis |
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| Top speed | 805 km/h (500 mph) | 2,175 km/h (1,351 mph) |
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| Range | 10,300 km (6,400 miles) | 1,210 km (752 miles) |
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| Length | 19.2 m (63 ft) | 14.7 m (48 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 31.4 m (103 ft) | 7.2 m (23 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 18 t (39,903 lb) | 10 t (22,928 lb) |
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| First flight | 1955 | 1955 |
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| Crew and capacity | 1 pilot | 1 crew |
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| Engines | 1 × F118 turbofan | 1 × Tumansky R-25 turbojet |
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| Built by | Lockheed | Mikoyan-Gurevich |
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| Country | USA | USSR |
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