Message posted by Joerg (Webmaster) on July 27, 2001 at 12:32:35 PST:
Skunkworks is a secret hi-tech aircraft development division of Lockheed. They developed the U-2 spy plane, the A-12/SR-71 Blackbird, and several other amazing aircraft, top secret in their time. Lockheed Skunkworks still is one of the major players at Area 51, with their own on-site development complex. Skunkworks was originally formed as a development division of Lockheed, headed by Kelly Johnson in the early 1950's. Supposedly there was a constant offensive smell from a nearby chemical plant in the early days, and the name stuck.
Under Johnsons leadership Skunkworks developed the U-2 spy plane in record time, and later the legendary A-12 and SR-71 Blackbird. You can read more about the Blackbird and Skunkworks in our "More Info" section.
A more recent development is the F-117 Stealth Fighter. All these planes were developed top secret at Area 51.
In Reply to: 'Skunk Works' posted by clive on July 27, 2001 at 11:42:30 PST:
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