It was during the early 1960s, that the final Canberra reconnaissance version, the PR9 was rolled out and became operational with 58 Sqn. The PR9 featured up-rated Avon engines and a larger wing span, which allowed the aircraft to fly at heights of 60,000 feet.

The cameras carried by the PR9 were developed through a number of stages over its life. A wide range of daytime film cameras were carried for medium and higher level vertical and oblique photography. Survey cameras could also be fitted. An digital sensor, recording onto magnetic tape was another of the systems that could be carried.

Squadrons equipment with the PR9 were.

13, 39 and 58 Sqn

Throughout the 1960s, the Canberra's 13 Sqn were involved in many operational flights over the Middle East. Conflicts between Iraq and Kuwait (1962-64) and Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi (1970) saw 13 Sqn flying over disputed areas, photographing various troop movements.

13 Sqn moved to Malta in 1965 and also manned a permanent detachment at Muharraq, Bahrain. Working along side 39 Sqn in Malta, the two units undertook different reconnaissance roles and then in 1978 13 Sqn moved to RAF Wyton in the UK before disbanding in 1981. In 1970 39 Sqn disbanded and then was reformed immediately at RAF Wyton.

June 1982 saw No.1 PRU being  formed with the remaining PR9's again based at RAF Wyton. However, in the early 1992 saw another name change to No. 39 (1 PRU) Squadron and it is with this squadron that the Canberra PR9 remained in service flying operation missions right up until the 28th July 2006 when the squadron was disbanded and the last 4 remaining PR9's in RAF service were retired.  

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Reconnaissance Canberras in Overseas Service

India
This country became the third largest operator of the Canberra. In May 1957 the Indian Air Force's initial order was for three upgraded PR.7's. Further to this order, another was placed for five newly built aircraft reconnaissance aircraft. Before delivery, these aircraft had modifications to their electrical systems, an autopilot installed and additional navigation equipment. Later a further two PR.57's were added to the fleet as replacements In the mid 1960's a further order was placed for another two reconnaissance Canberras, these were to be two Ex-RAF PR.7's, again upgraded as requested by the Indian Government, these aircraft became know as PR.67's. In 1976 one PR.57 was transferred to the National Remote Sensing Agency and given the civilian code VT-EEM.

United States of America
On the 8th May 1951 a licence agreement was signed between UK English Electric and the US Glenn Martin company for the production of the Canberra within the USA for the USAF. This aircraft was to be called the B-57.
The first reconnaissance versions, the RB-57A, looked like the RAF PR.7's. They had cameras mounted within area aft of the bomb bay. Between 1953 and 1944 the USAF operated  67 of this variant, the initial order had been for 99 aircraft  but this was cut by a third. At the end of their service life not all RB-57As were scrapped, some were later converted to undertake electric reconnaissance, to be known as the EB-57A with others, being converted to become RB-57Fs.
The next variant was the RB-57D, it was designed as a high altitude reconnaissance platform. This aircraft had a totally redesigned cockpit, the bomb bay was permanently sealed off and the fuselage fuel tanks were removed. The wings were replaced with a new 105 foot wing, these housed the fuel tanks and the cameras were installed in the nose, a enlarged nose and tail greatly increased the length of the aircraft.
In all a total of 20 RB-57Ds were produced. Within this number there were three sub-variants. 13 were produced as single seat reconnaissance variants, fitted  with two K-38 & one KC-1 cameras, (7 of these were fitted for in-flight refuelling). 6 others were fitted with no cameras but in their place was installed electric countermeasures & reconnaissance equipment, these were also designed two take two crew members. The remaining one airframe was designed as a single-seater to undertake radar mapping. In its day the RB-57D could carry a large payload and fly faster than the other reconnaissance aircraft of the day, the U-2. Due to problems with the wings, the RB-57D was withdrawn from the reconnaissance role in the early 1970's. A number went on later to be converted to other models.
A number of the bomber variant, the B-57E, were convert to a reconnaissance role and were renamed the RB-57E, they had cameras fitted in the nose and within the modified bomb bay. These aircraft went to Units operating the RB-57A. There was also another version of the RB-57E, this was the variant that undertook specialist reconnaissance missions in Vietnam in the 1960's. Under the title project "Patricia Lynn" these aircraft were fitted with a modified nose that could house a 36" focal length KA-1 forward facing oblique camera and a KA-56 panoramic camera. Mounted within the modified bomb bay was a KA-1 in the vertical position, a K-477 vertical "day-night" camera & a KA-1 mounted as a port facing oblique. The aircraft was also fitted were Infar-red Reconofax IV sensing cameras. 6 aircraft were converted to this standard.
The RB-57F was to be the last of the reconnaissance variants of the US Canberras. The USAF requested a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft which would have a greater performance that the RB-57D. The prototype made its first flight in June 1963. This new version had a much larger wing span, 122 feet in all. The engines were also replaced with Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofans. This gave the aircraft twice has mush power as the B variant. Also turbojets could be added to each wing and would only be used once the aircraft was at altitude. A total of 21 aircraft were converted to this standard, 3 RB-57As, 14 B-57Bs and 4 RB-57Ds. The aircraft had 2 crew members.