The Projects of Skunk Works: 75 Years of Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs - Hardcover

Pace, Steve

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0760350329 ISBN 13: 9780760350324

Publisher: Voyageur Press, 2016

Synopsis

The stories behind more than 50 secret projects undertaken by the famed Lockheed Martin Skunk Works on behalf of the US Armed Forces, DARPA, and the CIA - all illustrated with official Skunk Works photography and commissioned artworks.

Hatched in June 1943 after a special request of the US Army Air Forces to develop a turbojet-powered fighter to counter growing German threats, Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has gone on to develop remarkable aeronautical and space technologies, including stealth. Some have made it into production, while others never quite made it off drafting boards and computer screens, but proved fascinating nonetheless.

This generously illustrated history tackles Skunk Works programs ranging from jet fighters and jet engines to missiles and rockets, helicopters, research aircraft, airships, unmanned aerial vehicles and recon drones, and even the seagoing stealth ship Sea Shadow - more than 50 in all.

Author Steve Pace examines the historical context which led government organizations to approach the Skunk Works, as well as the technologies and projects developed there (often on a handshake and unburdened by bureaucracies), and the anecdotes and legends associated with each program. Pace includes official Skunk Works photography of the projects taken both at its headquarters and at test facilities such as Area 51. In addition, commissioned color artworks help further illustrate many of these projects featured herein. In addition to profiling legendary aircraft like the F-80, F-94, F-104, U-2, SR-71, F-117, and F-35, Pace takes on more obscure projects from the past as well as those still to come, such as the hypersonic SR-72 and High Speed Strike Weapon, and even offers a peak into what the future might hold with the proposed TR-X.

About this title

About the Author

Steve Pace is a freelance aviation history writer and a passionate fan of civilian, military, and experimental aircraft. He was raised in Seattle, Washington, where his father worked at the Boeing Airplane Company for more than 30 years. As the son of an aircraft builder he became interested in aviation at an early age, and instead of buying candy, pop and marbles, he bought model airplane kits.

Pace is a contributing editor to Flight Journal and the author of 30 aviation history books and numerous articles and short features on a variety of aircraft and related subjects. He resides in Tacoma, Washington.

Edition details

• Publisher: Voyageur Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0760350329
• ISBN 13: 9780760350324
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 256