Looking back at what has come to fruition throughout skunk works seventy years, a specific path that defines the skunk works way of doing business can be clearly seen. Skunk works is a personal memoir written by the chief engineer of lockheeds skunk works, ben rich. Lockheed martin skunk works celebrates seventy years. The department was later called advanced development projectsnow known as the lockheed martin skunk worksand it continues to redefine flight today. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the story of lockheeds legendary skunk works is a highstakes drama of cold war confrontations and gulf war air combat, of extraordinary feats of. Skunk works is a personal memoir written by the chief engineer of lockheeds skunk works ben rick. The xp38 project was designed and engineered in seclusion by a small team, independent of lockheeds usual corporate structure and.
Skunk works article about skunk works by the free dictionary. The book shows how lockheednow lockheed martin, the 500pound gorilla of defense contractorsprograms have produced some of the most extraordinary aircraft in world history. Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs, formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. Its largest current project is the f35 lightning ii, which will be used in the air forces of several countries around the world. Lockheed martin claims nuclear fusion breakthrough youtube. The employees are almost all 3555, so theyre the type that wants. How skunk works turned lockheed martin into the worlds. They really want to get you working on a project that you like. A personal memoir of my years at lockheed from the worlds largest community of readers. The book tells of his first experiences at lockheed during the 1950s at the height of the cold war. Lokheed martin invented the separate, completely independent, organisation to develope innovative but risky, aircraft without the restrictions usual with commercial production lines, dept.
Cannibalization, thy name is skunk works the answer is that taking a risk on the f35 is both essential for lockheed martin to remain at the top of. Lockheeds latest skunk smells sweet the motley fool. It is a history of the famous lockheed skunk works and its military and spy aircraft. From the development of the u2 to the stealth fighter, the neverbeforetold story behind americas highstakes quest to dominate the skies, skunk works is the true story of americas most secret and successful aerospace operation. He also worked on the f104, u2, a12, sr71, and f22, among others. The skunk works is one of the big names in us aerospace development, and we always associate the skunk works with the u2 and sr71 spyplanes, but also the f22 raptor, f117 nighthawk, f80 shooting star, f104 starfighter, and the f35 lightning ii. These also provide people a better understanding of how innovation process work on skunk works projects. It was the wartime year of 1943 when kelly johnson brought together a handpicked team of lockheed aircraft corporation engineers and manufacturing people to rapidly and secretly complete the xp80 project. Lokheed martin invented the separate, completely independent, organisation to develope innovative but risky. The first fifty years 2nd revised edition by miller, jay isbn. A personal memoir of my years of lockheed kindle edition by ben r. For more than 70 years, the skunk works has existed to create revolutionary aircraft and technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible. By lockheed martins count, this year marks the 70th anniversary of its secretive yet famous skunk works division, though some credibly argue that its genesis began with the 1938 development of the xp38 that led to the groundbreaking lockheed p38 lightning.
It is responsible for a number of aircraft designs, including the u2, the lockheed sr71 blackbird, the lockheed f117 nighthawk, lockheed martin f22 raptor, and the lockheed martin f35 lightning ii, which are used in the air forces of. Its name was taken from the moonshine factory in the comic strip lil abner. From the development of the u2 to the stealth fighter, skunk works is the true story of americas most secret and successful aerospace operation. Awesome book if you are into spyplanes just jaw dropping what they did at the skunkworks. From the u2 thru the sr71 and the f117 up to the f22, this book details the trials and tribulations of a small, focused division of a huge aerospace conglomerate. Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs adp, formerly. In a major pulling back of the veil of secrecy, official histories of such noteworthy products as the u2, a12, d21, sr71 and f117 are finally brought to light, authentically described by the company and the men who designed and built them.
Considered by many insiders to be the definitive history of the skunkworks, millers book covers everything from the xp80 up to the f22 and doesnt skip over anything to get to the good stuff. Lokheed martin invented the separate, completely independent, organisation to. Last week at the farnborough air show in england, lockheed martin nyse. Lockheed martins skunk works is known worldwide for achieving breakthrough technological advancements in aircraft development. I was the sole representative of our city, along with other business, industry, and political leaders from the region, at lockheed martin skunk works today, as lockheed execs discussed the success of the f35 and the work our team here in palmdale contributes to our national security. Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs adp, formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. The success factors for successful skunk worksby gu jing. Lockheed martins skunk works the official history jay miller if you want the complete history of the skunk works, this is the book to get. The book charts richs rise through lockheeds skunk works, from the ground. Less than a year following the publication of skunk works, dick abrams died. Ben talks about the development of have blue which would later become the f117 nighthawk or the stealth fighter. A personal memoir of my years at lockheed book is not really ordinary book, you have it. The book tells of his first experiences at lockheed during the 1950s. Lmt unveiled the latest concept project from its topsecret skunk works research facility.
We already have the means to travel among the stars, but these technologies are. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc. Benjamin robert ben rich june 18, 1925 january 5, 1995 was the second director of lockheeds skunk works from 1975 to 1991. The author of the book, ben rich led the skunk works design team after clarence kelly johnson retired in 1975. Bunker 27 skunk works tshirt officially licensed 4. Hes been called the father of stealth, having overseen the development of the stealth fighter, the f117a nighthawk. Lockheed skunk works celebrates its 70th anniversary. Now located in palmdale, calif, the skunk works has branched out to. Regarded as the father of stealth, rich was responsible for leading the development of the f117, the first production stealth aircraft. Skunk works celebrates 75th anniversary of innovation and.
Again, as mentioned before, skunk works is a famous tool for organizations to use to fight in the innovative market. With direct focus on revolutionized business and technology changes, skunkworks is independent, highly. In partnership with nasa, the lockheed martin skunk works team is solving one of the most persistent challenges of supersonic flight the sonic boom. The first and only official history of the worlds most famous advanced aircraft design bureau youve been waiting for. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Skunkworks teams develop tasks efficiently with nominal management limitations. The phrase originated in 1943, during world war ii, when lockheed corporation built americas first operational jet fighter. Photos by jim wilson and lockheed martin skunk works. The book also follows the careers of the two men who headed the skunk works team.
Typically referring to projects for software or electronics that are sometimes developed in secrecy, the term was derived from the lockheed martin advanced development program skunk works and popularized by tom peters and nancy austin in their 1984. The book also talks about the u2 spy plane and its being shot down over the soviet union. It is responsible for a number of aircraft designs, including the u2, the lockheed sr71 blackbird, the lockheed f117 nighthawk, lockheed martin f22 raptor, and the lockheed martin f35 lightning ii, which are used in the air forces of several countries. Before his death, rich made several shocking open statements about the reality of ufos and extraterrestrials. Skunk works is the popular moniker of lockheed martins top, top secret aircraft aircraft program for the us government. The projects of skunk works is filled with such stories. Because the war effort was in full swing there was no space available at the lockheed facility for. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The author describes the varied events that occurred and projects that were undertaken at lockheeds aerospace development wing. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
It ranges all the way past the first gulf war, and describes the many, varied events that occurred and projects that were undertaken at lockheeds. Skunk works is the true story, told for the first time, of americas most secret and successful aerospace operation. Then get your skunk works team movingand have them play by the rules that helped lockheed martin invent a worldclass fighter jet in 143 days. Skunk works is responsible for a number of famous aircraft designs, including the u2, the sr71, the f117, and the f22. Skunkworks refers to advanced development projects that are sometimes topsecret such as black projects in technology, business and aerospace engineering. It tells of the problems this awesome company dealt with due to the secret nature of their business. Imagine having to lose government contracts because you could not use the c. Skunk works is an official alias for lockheed martins advanced development programs adp, formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. Skunk works pdf as i noted in the first edition of this book, skunk works was the result of.
I have been working at lockheed martin for less than a year. A personal memoir of my years at lockheed by by ben r. Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs adp, formerly called lockheed advanced development. Rich was the second director of lockheed skunkworks from 19751991. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the story of lockheeds legendary skunk works is a highstakes drama of cold war confrontations and gulf war air combat, of extraordinary feats of engineering and human achievement against fantastic. Also at this time the term skunk works changed from being a nickname to the official name of the adp outfit. The skunk works was still its own company and becam the lockheed martin skunk works lmsw. Skunk works has built the most advanced planes ever, in total secrecy. Skunk works palmdale, california tour agency facebook. Nasa awarded lockheed martin skunk works a contract in february 2016 for the preliminary design of x59, designed to reduce a sonic boom to a gentle thump. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly.