FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2003
Lockheed Martins Skunk Works Celebrates Diamond Anniversary
PALMDALE, Calif., Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] renowned Skunk
Works officially marks its 60th Anniversary today. Once the
informal name for the Lockheed organization led by Clarence L.
Kelly Johnson that produced many of Americas most
technologically advanced aircraft, the Skunk Works has made an
indelible mark on aviation history. The Skunk Works is regarded
worldwide as one of the most respected design and development names
in aeronautics.
During the heat of World War II, Johnson, Lockheeds famed aircraft
designer, forged a team of engineers behind tightly closed doors in
makeshift facilities in Burbank, Calif., and designed and developed
the P-80 Shooting Star, the Air Force's first truly operational jet
fighter, in a mere 143 days.
Since then, this organization continues within Lockheed Martin and
has given shape to many firsts such as the F-104 Starfighter, the
first Mach 2 aircraft; the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, which is
still the highest flying single engine airplane; and the SR-71
"Blackbird" reconnaissance aircraft, which was the first to fly at
speeds in excess of Mach 3. The SR-71, which has been retired, is
still the highest flying and fastest jet aircraft ever
developed.
The Skunk Works is also responsible for development of the F-117
Nighthawk, the world's first operational stealth fighter, and led
development of the YF-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter, the forerunner
of today's F/A-22 Raptor, the first aircraft to combine stealth,
supercruise, super maneuverability, and highly integrated
avionics.
More recently, the Skunk Works led the development and flight
testing of the Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems X-35
Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) prototypes Included in this effort was
the successful flight testing of the innovative lift fan system on
the X-35B demonstrator. The successful testing of this
revolutionary vertical landing capability was a key factor in the
Lockheed Martin team's win in the JSF competition. With production
of the F-35 aircraft scheduled to last for four decades, the JSF
program will likely be the largest defense contract in
history.
How did the Skunk Works name come into being? The actual facts have
been veiled by time. But there is no doubt that it was derived from
the Skonk Works in Al Capps popular 1940s-era Lil Abner comic
strip that appeared in newspapers nationwide. It is believed that
Irv Culver, a talented designer who worked on Johnsons original
1943 P-80 development team was responsible for the name.
Johnson, who died in 1990, noted in his autobiography, The legend
goes that one of our engineers I guess it was Culver was asked
What is Kelly doing in there? Hes stirring up some kind of
brew, was the answer. This brought to mind Lil Abner and the
hairy Indian in that strip who regularly stirred up a big brew,
throwing in skunks, old shoes and other material to make his
Kickapoo joy juice.
Culvers version differs. He recalled that World War II secrecy
dictated that Lockheed engineers could not even identify their
office when answering the phone. The isolation reminded him of the
much-shunned Kickapoo joy juice works in the comic strip. So one
day when a group of Pentagon military officers placed a conference
call, he answered, Skonk Works, inside man, Culver. After an
awkward pause one of the officers asked, What? Culver repeated,
Skonk Works, and the name stuck.
Nestled in the fringes of Californias Mojave Desert, Advanced
Development Programs (a.k.a. The Skunk Works) today continues its
notable tradition by developing transformational strategies and
classified products in a quick, quiet and quality manner to
support its varied customers. It continues to brew up new
innovations that are and will serve our nations defense for
decades to come. The Skunk Works unique unmanned products, i.e.
Desert Hawk and FPASS recently saw action in both Afghanistan and
Iraq.
Frank Cappuccio is the current Vice President and General Manager
of the Skunk Works. Frank started his Lockheed Martin career in
the Skunk Works and is committed to keeping this national asset in
the forefront of aeronautical technology and products. His vision,
like Kelly Johnsons is simple: Superior products through
innovation.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., headquartered in Fort Worth,
Texas, is a leader in the design, development, systems integration,
production and support of advanced military aircraft and related
technologies. Its customers include the military services of the
United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products
include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130,
C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about
125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture and integration of
advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation
reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.
The end.
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