Here are a few shots of a Lockheed U-2 "Senior span".

Thanks for sharing. Wasn't familiar with this variation.

Yeah, kinda cool seeing the "add ons" - I've seen one with the elongated nose cone, but hadn't seen the upper pod before.

Interesting variant.

Totally unaware of this variant, does it have a name?!

It's called a Senior Span/Senior Spur

Great images of this rare bird. Thanks for sharing.

Doing a little research I found that it is possibly the satellite communication pod that is called Senior Span/ Senior Spur, not the aircraft itself, and the pod can be taken off when needed. The aircraft, according to Wikipedia, is called a U-2S Senior Year, after having been re-engined with a GE F-118-101.

There are lots of interesting facts and views at U-2S Senior Span/Spur by David W. Aungst (Testor and Cutting Edge 1/48). All collected by David W. Aungst, in support of his project of building a model of the U-2 in superscale, that is, as accurate as ever can be done.

Lots at Wikipedia, too!

Thanks for the info Tord.

Nice to see some decent photos on the beasty, the first time I "saw" one in the flesh I was under strict orders not to look directly at it but to turn my back as it passed by.