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Skunk Works' history started with the P-38 Lightning in 1939 [2] [3] and the P-80 Shooting Star in 1943. Skunk Works engineers subsequently developed the U-2 , SR-71 Blackbird , F-117 Nighthawk , F-22 Raptor , and F-35 Lightning II , the latter being used in the air forces of several countries.
The "organizing genius" Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was the first team leader of Skunk Works and designer of the P-80, U-2, SR-71 and many more. Skunk Works was run using "Kelly's 14 Rules": The Skunk Works manager must be delegated practically complete control of his program in all aspects. He should report to a division president or higher.
Benjamin Robert Rich (June 18, 1925 – January 5, 1995) was an American engineer and the second director of Lockheed's Skunk Works from 1975 to 1991, succeeding its founder, Kelly Johnson. Regarded as the "father of stealth ", [ 1 ] Rich was responsible for leading the development of the F-117 , the first production stealth aircraft.
In Al Capp's comic strip Li'l Abner, Big Barnsmell's Skonk Works — spelled with an "o" — was where Kickapoo Joy Juice was brewed. When the name leaked out, Lockheed ordered it changed to "Skunk Works" to avoid potential legal trouble over use of a copyrighted term. The term rapidly circulated throughout the aerospace community, and became a ...
Entrance plaza of the Lockheed Skunk Works Sign by one of the gates into Plant 42 FAA airport diagram of Plant 42. Northrop Grumman's B-2 final assembly and modification facility is at Palmdale. In February 1999, Department of Defense officials said that depot support for the B-2 would be provided by commercial and military sources.
Skunk Works history “Skunk Works” is a reference to defense contractor Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division, which has been responsible for some of the most advanced – and secretive ...
F-117 Nighthawk F-117 flying over mountains in Nevada in 2002 General information Type Stealth attack aircraft National origin United States Manufacturer Lockheed Corporation Status Retired from combat, used as training aircraft as of 2025 Primary user United States Air Force Number built 64 (5 YF-117As, 59 F-117As) History Introduction date October 1983 ; 41 years ago (1983-10) First flight ...
The Lockheed Have Blue was born out of a requirement to evade radar detection. During the Vietnam War, radar-guided SAMs and AAA posed a significant threat to US aircraft.. For this reason, strike aircraft during the war often required support aircraft to perform combat air patrols and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).