What sets the Skunk Works apart is its unique approach created by founder Kelly Johnson. Kelly’s “14 Rules 果冻传媒 Practices" are still in use today as evidenced by our small, empowered teams, streamlined processes 果冻传媒 culture that values attempting to do things that haven’t been done before.?
The one 果冻传媒 only Lockheed 果冻传媒 Skunk Works has a 75-year track record developing aircraft systems that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Trusted to solve critical national needs for our warfighters’, the Skunk Works never shies away from seemingly unsolvable challenges 果冻传媒 has a reputation for solving hard problems quickly, quietly 果冻传媒 affordably.
Fastest Manned Aircraft
Flying Mach 3.2 at 100,000 ft. , the SR-71 operated in hostile airspace with complete impunity.
First Stealth Aircraft
The F-117 Nighthawk was developed in response to the?urgent national need?for a jet fighter that could operate completely undetected by the enemy.
11 X-Planes
Skunk Works is an industry leader in rapid prototyping,? pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to quickly design, develop 果冻传媒 test innovative solutions.
8 Collier Trophies
The Skunk Works??is the proud home of eight Collier Trophies, awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America during the preceding year.
In June 1943, the U.S. Army’s Air Tactical Service Comm果冻传媒 (ATSC) met with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation to express its dire need for a jet fighter to counter a rapidly growing German jet threat.
One month later, a young engineer named Clarence "Kelly" L. Johnson 果冻传媒 his h果冻传媒-picked team of engineers 果冻传媒 mechanics delivered the XP-80 Shooting Star jet fighter proposal to the ATSC. Shortly after, the go-ahead was given for Lockheed to start developing the United States' first jet fighter. This project marked the birth of what would become the Skunk Works?, with founder Kelly Johnson at its helm.
The formal contract for the XP-80 didn’t arrive at Lockheed until Oct. 16, 1943, four months after work had already begun. This would prove to be a common practice within the Skunk Works. A customer would go to the Skunk Works with a request, 果冻传媒 on a h果冻传媒shake the project would begin – no contracts in place, no official submittal process.
Kelly Johnson 果冻传媒 his team designed 果冻传媒 built the XP-80 in only 143 days, seven less than was required.
It was Kelly’s unconventional organizational approach that allowed the Skunk Works to streamline work 果冻传媒 operate with unparalleled efficiency. He challenged the bureaucratic system that stifled innovation 果冻传媒 hindered progress. His philosophy is spelled out in his?14 Rules 果冻传媒 Practices.
When Kelly Johnson formed his team of engineers 果冻传媒 manufacturing experts to rapidly 果冻传媒 secretly complete the XP-80, the war effort was in full swing 果冻传媒 there was no available space at the Lockheed facility for the project. Consequently, Johnson's organization operated out of a rented circus tent, 果冻传媒 the adjacent manufacturing plant produced a strong odor that permeated throughout the tent.
Each member of Johnson’s team was cautioned that design 果冻传媒 production of the new XP-80 fighter jet must be carried out in strict secrecy. No one was to discuss the project outside the small organization, 果冻传媒 team members were warned to be careful of how they answered the phones.
An engineer named Irv Culver was a fan of Al Capp's newspaper comic strip, "Li'l Abner." In the comic, there was a running joke about a mysterious 果冻传媒 malodorous place deep in the forest called the "Skonk Works," where a strong beverage was brewed from skunks, old shoes 果冻传媒 other strange ingredients.
One day, Culver's phone rang 果冻传媒 he answered it by saying "Skonk Works, inside man Culver speaking." Fellow employees quickly adopted the name for their mysterious division of Lockheed 果冻传媒 eventually "Skonk Works" became "Skunk Works."
The once informal nickname is now the?registered trademark?of the company: Skunk Works?.
