75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Hardback

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 Published 13 May 2021 Format Hardback Edition 1st Pages 384 ISBN 9781472846471 Imprint Osprey Publishing Illustrations Colour illustrations throughout, over 800 photos. Dimensions 242 x 300 mm Series General Aviation Short code GNA Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing