| Part Of Mayday 1960: Reassessing the U-2 Shoot Down

The U-2 Spy Plane and the Missile Gap

A panel discussion was held on concerns over “the missile gap” perceived between the U.S. and the Soviet Union after the launch of Sputnik i… read more

A panel discussion was held on concerns over “the missile gap” perceived between the U.S. and the Soviet Union after the launch of Sputnik in October 1957 as well as Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s claim that the Soviet Union was producing ICBM’s “like sausages.” Debate on this issue figured in the run-up to the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon presidential election. Drawing upon imagery from the last few U-2 flights over the Soviet Union which had never before been seen in public, the panelists focused on the role of signals intelligence, newly developed photo-reconnaissance satellites, and the U-2 in resolving the missile-gap debate. The panelists accompanied their presentations with slides, and then responded to questions from members of the audience.

Chris Pocock is the author of 50 Years of the U-2: The Complete Illustrated History of Lockheeds Legendary Dragon Lady (Schiffer Publishing; January 1, 2004). Dino Brugioni is a founding senior officer of the CIA National Photographic Interpret close

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  • Dino A. Brugioni Senior Analyst (Former) National Photographic Interpretation Center
  • Mircea Munteanu Associate Wilson (Woodrow) International Center for Scholars->Cold War International History Project
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The U-2 Spy Plane and the Missile Gap

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Program ID:
293227-2
Category:
Public Affairs Event
Format:
Forum
Location:
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
First Aired:
May 22, 2010 | 1:03pm EDT | C-SPAN 3
Last Aired:
May 23, 2010 | 7:03am EDT | C-SPAN 3

Airing Details

  • May 22, 2010 | 1:03pm EDT | C-SPAN 3
  • May 22, 2010 | 7:03pm EDT | C-SPAN 3
  • May 23, 2010 | 1:03am EDT | C-SPAN 3
  • May 23, 2010 | 7:03am EDT | C-SPAN 3
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The U-2 Spy Plane and the Missile Gap

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