Pontiac G8 Chases Landing U-2 Spy Planes on Active Runways

One of the world’s most sophisticated airplanes requires help from LS-powered chase cars to land safely.

We’re jealous of these United State Air Force drivers. Hell, we’re pretty jealous of the Air Force in general with their multitude of awesome toys. However, this particular Air Force driver gets paid, essentially, to runway-race a Pontiac G8 behind one of the most incredible airplanes ever built, the U-2.

The U-2 features a dramatic wingspan to produce lift at the extremely high altitudes it flies. The repurposed spy plane goes so high, in fact, that pilots must wear pressure suits. With the long wingspan producing incredible lift even at low speed and the poor visibility from the pressure suits, these pilots need real-time help from a chase car to touch down.

The procedure basically for pilots equates to flying the plane toward the ground, communicating with the chase car about height from the runway, and stalling the plane when it gets low enough. With only two sets of landing gear, the whole process can be tricky. Add in that a hard landing can damage the battery of highly sophisticated sensors and you have a very high-pressure touchdown for pilots.

Incredibly, the Air Force has used the U-2 for half a century, which means that they’ve used a variety of chase vehicles for this purpose. After originally using El Caminos, the Air Force obtained some Highway Patrol-spec Ford Mustangs in the 1980s. Those served until some fourth-generation Camaro Z28s took over.

Today, the Air Force seems to use a bit of whatever, but LS power seems common. We’ve seen some Camaros and GTOs. In the video above, a Pontiac G8 serves its country and the car’s occupants even talk a little about it. It seems the perfect platform, really. The LS3 provides ample punch while it can haul up to four people.