Founded in 1943 by legendary engineer , Skunk Works was born out of a wartime crisis. The U.S. Army Air Forces needed a jet fighter to counter a growing German threat.
The division’s enduring success is attributed to a set of management principles established by Johnson that prioritized speed, autonomy, and direct communication. Key rules include: The Skunk Works® Legacy | Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works
: Johnson and a handpicked team designed and built the XP-80 Shooting Star (the first U.S. jet fighter) in just 143 days . Founded in 1943 by legendary engineer , Skunk