75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works cover

Description

This pictorial journey takes the reader from the very beginning of the Skunk Works' very first project (XP-80 Shooting Star) and follows the programme through prototype build-up, first flight and, if they reached the frontline, operational service.

The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works was founded in the summer of 1943 to develop a jet-powered high-altitude interceptor for the USAAF, and ever since it has been at the forefront of technological development in the world of aviation. From the XP-80 to the U-2, SR-71, F-117, F-22 and now the F-35, the Skunk Works team has designed aircraft that are the pinnacle of innovation and performance.

75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works takes us through the history of this legendary facility from its foundation at the height of World War II under the talented engineer, Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, through to the present day. Illustrated with over a thousand photographs and drawings, it details the 46 unclassified programmes developed by the Skunk Works, following them through prototype build-up, first flight and, if they reached the frontline, operational service.

Table of Contents

Dedication
Foreword


Introduction
XP-80 - Shooting Star - 1944
XF-90 - Penetration Fighter - 1949
X-7, X-17 - 1951, 1955
YC-130 - Hercules - 1954
XVF - Salmon - 1954
XF-104 Starfighter - 1954
U-2A-G - Dragon Lady - 1955
Jet Star L-329 - 1957
SST L-2000 - 1958
XV-4 - Hummingbird - 1962
CL-400 Suntan - 1962
A-12 - Oxcart - 1962
YF-12A - Kindle - 1963
D-21 - Tagboard/Senior Bowl - 1964
M-21 Tagboard - 1964
SR-71A - Senior Crown - 1964
X-26 - Frigate - 1967
AH-56A Cheyenne - 1967
U-2R Dragon Lady - 1967
X-27 - Lancer - 1970
YO-3A - Quiet Star - 1971
X-24C - L-301 - 1977
XST - Have Blue - 1977
Senior Peg - 1978
Senior Prom ATCM -1980
YF-117A - Senior Trend - 1981
YF-22 - ATF - 1990
Sea Shadow - IX-529 - 1985
X-35 JST - 1989
X-33 - Venturestar - 1990
RQ-3 - Dark Star - 1996
X-44A - MANTA - 2001
Desert Hawk - 2003
P-175 Pole Cat - 2005
Cormorant - 2006
P-791 - 2006
RQ-170 - Sentinel - 2007
X-55A - ACCA - 2009
HTV-2 - 2010
RATTLRS - 2010
X-56A - 2013
Sea Ghost - 2013
X-59 QUESST - 2016
Compact Fusion - 2019
SR-72 - 2030

Future Thoughts and Paper Airplanes
Skunk Works Leadership Biographies
Acknowledgments
Index

Product details

Published May 13 2021
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 384
ISBN 9781472846488
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Colour illustrations throughout, over 800 photos.
Series General Aviation
Short code GNA
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

James C. Goodall

James C. Goodall is a published author with 27 boo…

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