Skunk Works (skunk wurks) n. 1. Often a secret experimental division, laboratory, or project for
producing innovative design or products in the computer or aerospace field.ö
Lockheed MartinÆs ôSkunk Worksö grew out of the necessity for secrecy with the added need for
lightning fast development times. What resulted was a small team of experts -- hand picked --
which went on to create the worldÆs best aircraft for what they were designed to accomplish.
Clarence L. ôKellyö Johnson, the brilliant engineer, designer and heart and soul of the Skunk
Works put it this way. ôOur aim is to get results cheaper, sooner, and better through the
application of common sense to tough problems. If it works, donÆt fix it.ö That spirit remains true
today.
The Skunk Works has had many official names from Advanced Development Projects and the
Lockheed Advanced Development Company.
The Skunk Works originated with the development of the P-80 Shooting Star in 1943. The P-80
would become the U.S. Air ForceÆs first operational jet fighter and performed admirably in both
air-to-air and air-to-ground operations during the Korean War. The P-80 holds the distinction of
gaining the first aerial victory of that war. Kelly and his team designed and built the P-80 prototype
in 143 days - 37 days ahead of schedule!
In 1943, the Skunk Works was housed in a rented circus tent next to a plastics factory in
Burbank, California. The pungent odor from the factory prompted engineers to name their highly
secret ôfacilityö after the ôskonk works,ö the foul smelling factory in the comic strip ôLiÆl Abner.ö
Once relocated to more appropriate factory quarters, the Skunk Works operated not unlike other
airframe manufacturerÆs experimental departments - under the leadership of Johnson, designing
and producing many of the prototypes of LockheedÆs aircraft including the T-33 T-Bird jet trainer,
XF-90 fighter prototype, the YF-94 Starfire prototype, X-7 ramjet engine test vehicle, the XF-104
Starfighter prototype, the XFV-1 Vertical Riser - experimental vertical takeoff and landing research
aircraft, the YC-130 Hercules prototype and the Jetstar business jet. The late 1940s through early
1950s proved to be the most prolific and diverse period of aircraft development with projects
featuring propeller, rocket and jet engine propulsion.
These aircraft would prove LockheedÆs capability as a first-class design and prototype house.
Development of the top secret U-2 reconnaissance spy plane would form the foundation of a
legacy for building the impossible under a cloak of utter secrecy.
The legend of the Skunk was about to be born.
For over a half century, the Skunk Works has built a reputation that is unique in the world. Almost
routinely, this elite group has created breakthrough technologies and landmark aircraft that
redefine the possibilities of flight. The key has been to identify the best individual talents in
aviation, blend and equip them with every tool needed, then provide complete creative freedom so
they may arrive at an optimum solution in short order. This simple formula is highly effective not
only with Skunk Works teams but also on a corporate level.
In March, 1995, Lockheed and Martin Marietta Corporations joined forces to form a potent alliance
that is focused on "Mission Success" now and throughout the 21st century. Lockheed Martin's
190,000 men and women are generating remarkable records of achievement, from new aircraft first
flights to near perfect Space Shuttle missions. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works continues to serve
as a wellspring of innovation for the entire organization and, indeed, the industry itself - the world's
preeminent source for advanced aerospace prototypes, technology research, and systems
development, continuing to follow in the footsteps of that first alliance of dedicated engineers
formed and led by legendary innovator Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson. As in Kelly's era, also not big
on titles or protocol - just getting the job done, regularly meeting schedules on time and under
budget. The Skunk Works was created to design and develop the P-80 Shooting Star, America's
first production jet aircraft, since that historic innovation created aviation design icons like the
F-104 Starfighter with its super critical wing and lightweight design that made it a formidable
front-line fighter for more than 20 years. In the 1950s, created the U-2, which to this day defines
the possibilities of high-altitude jet aircraft, and development continues because of its formidable
capabilities. Searching for even higher performance, developed the SR-71 Blackbird. With its
titanium airframe, it's still the fastest jet aircraft in the world, holding numerous world speed
records more than thirty years after its first flight.
Today, the F-117A Stealth Fighter has created a revolution in military warfare by incorporating
low-observable technology into an operational attack aircraft. Its capabilities were demonstrated
dramatically in combat during the Gulf War. This success identified low-observable technology as
a mandatory requirement on all future Air Force weapons systems. This emphasis is clear in the
design of the world's most advanced low-observable air superiority fighter, the F-22 Advanced
Tactical Fighter, which leads us into the 21st century.
The Skunk Works got its name from the "Skonk Works" of Al Capp's L'il Abner comic strip, where
they had a hidden still in a secluded hollow. The name still fits, because exciting things are
always brewing around here.
Clarence Leonard "Kelly" Johnson received a Science Degree from the University Michigan in 1932
and his Masters of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1933. He worked as a consultant on
the aerodynamic design of automobiles for the annual Indy races while in college.
Kelly joined the Lockheed Corporation in 1933 as a tool designer. After assignments as flight test
engineer, stress analyst, weight engineer, aerodynamicist, and wind tunnel engineer, he became
Chief Research Engineer in 1938. His original and creative thinking led to the development of many
innovations in the aerospace industry. He contributed significantly to 40 different Lockheed
airplane designs. Of these, 19 were primarily Johnson products, some of the best-known aircraft in
the world; the Hudson bomber, the Constellation and Super-Constellation transports, the P-38
fighter, the T-33 trainer, the F-94 interceptor, and the Jetstar. The first U.S. production jet, the F-80
Shooting Star which made its initial flight in 1944, set a pattern for Johnson and his co-workers.
Managing Lockheed's Advanced Development Projects Division (The "Skunk Works"*), he
developed the first double-sonic U.S. jet, the F-104 Starfighter, the high flying U-2 , and the
superfast Mach 3 SR-71 Blackbird.
In 1975, he retired as senior Vice President of Lockheed. Among his many awards are two Collier
trophies, two Theodore Von Karman awards, and the National Medal of Science. He has also been
awarded the Medal of Freedom for his "significant contributions to the quality of American life" in
the advancement of aeronautics and enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame .
His genius in the design and production of state-of-the-art aircraft has yet to be equaled.
Kelly passed away December 21, 1990.
Johnson was a brilliant engineer with an aggressive approach (hence the nickname "Kelly"- the
"fighting Irish") who ran his projects in a unique and autocratic way. But just as impressive as his
engineering prowess was his huge success as a project manager, frequently tackling some of the
most difficult technical challenges and creating some of the most innovative solutions in a
remarkable way. Sometime in the late 1940's he set down fourteen basic operating rules that were
to govern the conduct of all his projects.
Rule No. 1
"The (Skunk Works) program manager must be delegated practically complete control of his
program in all aspects. He should have the authority to make quick decisions regarding technical,
financial and operational matters."
Rule No. 2
"Strong but small project offices must be provided both by industry and the military."
Rule No. 3
"The number of people having any connection with the project must be restricted in an almost
vicious manner. Use a small number of good people."
Rule No. 4
"A very simple drawing and drawing release system with great flexibility for making changes must
be provided in order to make schedule recovery in the face of failures."
Rule No. 5
"There must be a minimum number of reports required but important work must be recorded
thoroughly."
Rule No. 6
"There must be a monthly cost review covering not only what has been spent and committed but
also projected costs to the conclusion of the program. Don't have the books ninety days late, don't
surprise the customer with sudden over-runs."
Rule No. 7
"The contractor must be delegated and must assume more than normal responsibility to get good
vendor bids for sub-contract on the project. Commercial bid procedures are often better than
military ones."
Rule No. 8
"The inspection system as currently used by the Skunk Works, which has been approved by both
the Air Force and the Navy, meets the intent of existing military requirements and should be used
on new projects. Push basic inspection responsibility back to the sub-contractors and vendors.
Don't duplicate so much inspection."
Rule No. 9
"The contractor must be delegated the authority to test his product in flight. He can and must test
it in the initial phases".
Rule No. 10
"The specifications applying to the hardware must be agreed to in advance of contracting".
Rule No. 11
"Funding the program must be timely so that the contractor doesn't have to keep running to the
bank to support government projects".
Rule No. 12
ôThere must be absolute trust between the military project organisation and the contractor with
very close liaison on a day-to-day basis. This cuts down misunderstanding and correspondence to
an absolute minimum.ö
Rule No. 13
ôAccess by outsiders to the project and its personnel must be strictly controlledö.
Rule No. 14
ôBecause only a few people will be used in engineering and most other areas, ways must be
provided to reward good performance by pay, not simply related to the number of personnel
supervised.ö
Skunk WorksClarence Leonard "Kelly" Johnson*Kelly (continued) *The Skunk Works got its name from the "Skonk Works" of Al Capp's L'il Abner comic stripKelly joined the Lockheed Corporation in 1933 as a tool designerKelly's flight in an early A-12 flight test.Colligo CorpInternet: www.ultimatebook.com
