While the emphasis is on highprofile products like the u2 dragon lady, sr71 blackbird, c hercules, f117 nighthawk and f22 raptor, the book also examines skunk works projects that have yet to be covered in book form, including the tier iii minus darkstar unmanned air vehicle and the x33 venturestar orbiter. It ranges all the way past the first gulf war, and. Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs. Two former skunk works members seem to know why the f35.
For more than 70 years, the skunk works has existed to create revolutionary aircraft and technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible. 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 an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs, formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. Oct 07, 20 the legendary skunk works got its start on an early jet fighter design 70 years ago this month. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the chronicle of lockheeds legendary skunk works is a drama of cold war confrontations and gulf war air combat, of. 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. This book is a fantastic tour through the history and workings of the skunk works. Skunk works was lockheeds dedicated organization which created many top secret projects at the time such as the lockheed u2, sr71 blackbird, and f117 nighthawk. Cannibalization, thy name is skunk works the answer is that taking a risk on the f35 is both essential for lockheed martin to remain. Stinktierwerk ist eine geheimnisumwitterte abteilung. It ranges all the way past the first gulf war, and describes the many, varied events that occurred. From the u2 thru the sr71 and the f 117 up to the f 22, this book details the trials and tribulations of a small, focused division of a huge aerospace conglomerate.
Ben rich was the director of lockheeds skunk works from 1975 to 1991. How skunk works turned lockheed martin into the worlds. It looks like lockheed martins skunk works, the legendary division that designed airplanes which represented a giant leap for their times such as the f104, the u2, the blackbird family or the. Direct from the cockpits of these astonishing aircraft u2 spyplane, sr71 blackbird and f117 stealth fighter.
Lockheeds advanced development project has set standards for the aerospace industry for half a century. Lockheed martin skunk works celebrates seventy years code. The skunk works even built the worlds first stealth ship, the sea shadow, which makes an appearance at the. F117 nighthawk mystery revealed, lockheed skunk works top. The complete book of the sr71 blackbird english edition. Regarded as the father of stealth, rich was responsible for leading the development of the f117, the first production stealth aircraft. Mar 09, 2017 the stories behind more than 50 secret projects undertaken by the famed lockheed martin skunk works on behalf of the us armed forces, darpa, and the cia all illustrated with official skunk works photography and commissioned artworks. Previously, the label x44 was believed to be assigned to a tailless f22 concept that was never built. Apr 09, 2018 for more than 70 years, the skunk works has existed to create revolutionary aircraft and technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible. He also worked on the f104, u2, a12, sr71, and f22, among others. Skunk works is a personal memoir written by the chief engineer of lockheeds skunk works ben rick. Nov 16, 2018 i have been wanting to read this book longer then i would like to admit. Listen to the first episode of season 2 available anywhere you listen to podcasts.
The yf22 technology demonstrators brought a broad spectrum of air. Above, kelly johnson, who founded and run skunk works for decades, stands beside the f104 starfighter in a photo taken in 1958 kelly johnson was the largerthanlife figure that founded and ran. Since then, its brought you the u2, the sr71, and the f 117, and its still going strong. Can you spot all the legendary planes and future concepts in. 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. Gilliland was the test pilot on the first flight of the sr71. Skunk works simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Oct 01, 1994 skunk works is a personal memoir written by the chief engineer of lockheeds skunk works ben rick. Jul 18, 2015 cannibalization, thy name is skunk works the answer is that taking a risk on the f 35 is both essential for lockheed martin to remain at the top of the fighter jet game and built into the company.
The book has events in bens life like the passing of kelly johnson as well as the passing of bens wife faye. May 28, 2014 rich led the development of the f117 fighter plane, the first operational stealth aircraft. This is in addition to the f35, f22 and fa18efg, all of which use large composite structures in their designs. The story of lockheeds secret skunk works operation that produced innovative planes and other products for the military including the u2, the sr71 blackbird, and the f117 stealth fighter. Home military aviation f 35 two former skunk works members seem to know why the f 35 program is a. Not only is it full of technical information about the skunk works operation, but it is presented in a way that even the moderately curious could understand and be drawn in by this book. He flew the first flight and logged over 600 hours in the f117a. 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. Seven decades of lockheed skunk works aircraft pictures cnet. Home military aviation f35 two former skunk works members seem to know why the f35 program is a. Jun 07, 2019 above, kelly johnson, who founded and run skunk works for decades, stands beside the f 104 starfighter in a photo taken in 1958 kelly johnson was the largerthanlife figure that founded and ran. Dec 18, 2017 ben rich was the director of lockheeds skunk works from 1975 to 1991. Having been a lifelong fanboy of the sr71 blackbird and the f22 raptor i constantly stumbled upon the term skunk works in literature while reading about the planes.
The books primary focus is the u2, f117a, and last but not least the sr71. The 5th generation f22s unique combination of stealth, speed, agility, and situational awareness, combined with lethal longrange airtoair and airtoground weaponry, makes it the best air dominance fighter in the world. Lockheed skunk works signed by first test pilot robert. It an amazing place where incredible aircraft such blackbird, the stealth fighter, the u2 and the starfighter were created. Dec 10, 2014 skunk works has survived over the years because it is not only an advanced research arm, but also makes money by managing a few signature programs, including the f 22 stealth fighter and other. Sep 12, 2017 farley joined the skunk works as project pilot for the top secret stealth fighter program.
From the development of the u2 to the stealth fighter, skunk works is the true story of americas most secret and successful aerospace operation. It is responsible for a number of aircraft designs, including the u2, the lockheed sr71 blackbird, the lockheed f 117 nighthawk, lockheed martin f 22 raptor, and the lockheed martin f 35 lightning ii, which are used in the air forces of. The program was formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. Skunk works has survived over the years because it is not only an advanced research arm, but also makes money by managing a few signature programs, including the f22 stealth fighter and other. Since then, its brought you the u2, the sr71, and the f117, and its still going strong. Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs adp, formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. The term skunk works has become common parlance in the business and technical worlds for a group within an organization given a high degree of autonomy and freedom from bureaucratic control to work on advanced or secret projects. So he flew it to dayton, ohio and orvile wright climbed aboard and hughes and orville sat in the cockpit. F117 nighthawk mystery revealed, lockheed skunk works. The book tells of his first experiences at lockheed during the 1950s at the height of the cold war. Considered by many insiders to be the definitive history of the skunkworks, millers book covers everything from the xp80 up to the f22 and.
The projects of skunk works pdf books library land. Mar 19, 2016 however, lockheeds skunk works chief says once fully fielded, the combination of f22s and f35s will achieve the air dominance that america desires for the next 30 to 40 years. Lockheed martin skunk works celebrates its 70th anniversary in photos and captions of past and present projects. Under pressure, lockheed opens up about secret weapons unit. 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. It is a tribute to genius in the unrelenting pdf contest for mastery of the skies. The book tells of his first experiences at lockheed during the 1950s. However, lockheeds skunk works chief says once fully fielded, the combination of f22s and f35s will achieve the air dominance that america desires for the next 30 to 40 years. Signed on first free endpaper robert gilliland first flight sr71 22 dec 1964 111605.
Lockheeds skunk works also built in total secrecy howard hughes constellation. Minted in merlingold, a proprietary brass alloy that simulates the look and feel of gold, this coin contains an antique bronze finish. But when war started hughes had to turn it over to the government. This book was literally the first suggestion i got as i started researching about skunk works. The book offers some great insight into how some these break throughs were achieved, often times by sheer luck. Ben rich died in 1995 of cancer but the skunk works still lives on today.
I have been wanting to read this book longer then i would like to admit. Direct from the cockpits of these astonishing aircraft u2 spyplane, sr71 blackbird and f 117 stealth fighter. Its name was taken from the moonshine factory in the comic strip lil abner. Extraterrestrial ufo visitors are real, claimed former. Regarded as the father of stealth, 1 rich was responsible for leading the development of the f117, the first production stealth aircraft. The video even coyly fesses up to the skunk works role in designing the once. 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.
Rich led the development of the f117 fighter plane, the first operational stealth aircraft. The stories behind more than 50 secret projects undertaken by the famed lockheed martin skunk works on behalf of the us armed forces, darpa, and the cia all illustrated with official skunk works photography and commissioned artworks. This book was written in 1994 and provides at the time views on thing like gulf war 1 and includes many details about us spy planes sr71, u2, and f117a developed at skunk works. Benjamin robert rich june 18, 1925 january 5, 1995 was an american engineer and the second director of lockheeds skunk works from 1975 to 1991, succeeding its founder, kelly johnson. Skunk works is a personal memoir written by the chief engineer of lockheeds skunk works, ben rich. Skunk works has built the most advanced planes ever, in total secrecy. If interested in aviation and us cold war activity, will provide a insight. 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. Informed by a legacy of successfully conceptualizing and developing leadingedge technology aircraft like the sr71, f 117, f 22 and f 35, the skunk works spirit of innovation and ability to quickly and quietly deliver a quality product is what our customers have come to rely on for more than 75 years.
Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martins advanced development programs adp. As recounted by ben rich, the operations brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the chronicle of lockheeds legendary skunk works is a drama of cold war confrontations and gulf war air combat, of extraordinary feats of engineering and human achievement against fantastic odds. He flew the first flight and logged over 600 hours in the f 117a. It is responsible for a number of aircraft designs, including the u2, the lockheed sr71 blackbird, the lockheed f 117 nighthawk, lockheed martin f 22 raptor, and the lockheed martin f 35 lightning ii, which are used in the air forces of several countries. This obscure skunk works jet may help team win new stealth. A topflight aerospace engineers engrossing reminiscences of an eventful career in the service of the cia and us military at the height of the cold war. Skunk works is the true story, told for the first time, of americas most secret and successful aerospace operation. 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. This book is a great read and i highly recommend it to anyone who is curious about the skunk works, its people and the aircraft it created. Farley joined the skunk works as project pilot for the top secret stealth fighter program. Many companies claim to have skunk works small innovative, highly. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. The legendary skunk works got its start on an early jet fighter design 70 years ago this month. An f35c lightning ii aboard the mighty ike during dtii.