Few of the following are the projects from the secretive Lockheed “Skunk Works”.
- Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
- the F-104 Starfighter
- the U-2 spy plane
- the SR-71 Blackbird
- the D-21 supersonic drone
- the F-117 Stealth Jet
No one really knows as to how many projects Skunk Works have completed behind their secretive wall as or how many have they failed. However, one thing is sure for Skunk Works that everyone knows in Aerospace industry that they have broken the barriers in innovation and defense that have toppled many superpowers over the years.
Lockheed “Skunk Works” was established back in the 1940s when the World War II was at its worst, in an effort to keep the Allies up ahead from their German opponents and their secret program with headquarter in Peenemunde. Lockheed Skunk Works at that time was formed to develop the aerospace technology and weapons system that would be ahead of their warring opponents.
The original founder for Skunk Works was a round faced, bluntly speaking character named Kelly Jonson who was a man that had Aerospace Engineering in his genetic sequence. He was awarded with following awards for his exceptional services.
- two Collier Trophies
- An annual award presented by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association for “the person who made the most significant contribution to aerospace”.
- He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
On June 13th, 2018 Lockheed Skunk Works celebrated their 75th anniversary. While they are secretive in their developmental projects that from time to time pique the interest and curiosity of the aviation enthusiasts with tid bids of information.
For example in 2017, Lockheed Executive Vice President of Aeronautics, Orlando Carvalho revealed to media a new program named “SR-72 Program” he said to media, “although I cannot go into specifics f the program lets just say that our Skunk Works team in Palmdale, California is doubling down on our commitment to speed. Hypersonic is a disruptive technology and it will allow the platforms to operate three o four times when compared with the speed of Blackbird. Our security classification guidance only permits us to reveal the news that he speed will be greater than Mach 5”.
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