The U-2

As aviation technology improved, planes started to fall under more defined classes. There were now fighter planes, designed to take down other planes. Bombers, which specialised at air-to-ground missions. And just as important as combat planes, there were reconnaissance planes. Perhaps the most famous or significant recon plane of the early cold war was the Lockheed U-2, a high altitude plane used for scouting Communist nations, such as the PRC and the USSR. Due to its design, it is a particularly difficult model to operate, resulting the need for excellent pilots, as its lightweight frame presents little room for error. The U-2 was in operation for over 50 years, demonstrating the usefulness of the aircraft in intelligence gathering.
Perhaps the most well known U-2 pilot is Gary Powers, a CIA pilot who was shot down whilst flying over Soviet Territory. The plane was recovered, and intel that had been gathered was exposed to the Soviets. This event marked a great embarrassment to the United States, and further crippled Soviet-American relations.
The U-2 was a key factor in the Cuban missile crisis, as well. With enough evidence to warrant a U-2 flight, due to previous reports generated by the Corona satellite, the United States authorised a mission to gather information. The resulting flights confirmed the existence of nuclear warheads in Cuba.
The U-2 presented a great advancement in air recon, and due to its exceptional design, remained in service for over half a century, aiding in intelligence gathering all across the globe.

                                                                A U-2 Plane in flight

                                               The CIA taken picture confirming the existence
                                               of nuclear warheads in Cuba