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

The Skunk Works is one of the big names in US aerospace development, and we always associate the Skunk Works with the U-2 and SR-71 spyplanes, but also the F-22 Raptor, F-117 Nighthawk, F-80 Shooting Star, F-104 Starfighter, and the F-35 Lightning II. However, the history of the Skunk Works is more than just spyplanes and stealth aircraft. Steve Pace does a good job chronicling Skunk Works aerospace projects during its 70+ years of its existence, starting with the P-38 Lightning and ending with the latest designs for advanced aircraft from Lockheed Martin, including the Next Generation Air Dominance, blended wing body aircraft, a supersonic business jet, SR-72 hypersonic jet, and the losing contender for the competition that was won by the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider. As shown by Pace, the Skunk Works gets the credit for the world's first combat jet design with afterburning engines, the L-133 Starjet, and Lockheed took a dive into space tech and guided missiles with the Corona spy satellite program and a stealthy cruise missile. The honor also goes to the Skunk Works for the world's fastest airbreathing drones, the D-21 and Q-5. Also of interest in this book is a high-altitude airship that can stay airborne for days and a hypersonic scramjet-powered aircraft; the unveiling of the SR-72 four years ago gives lie to the opinion of most aviation experts that the much ballyhooed Aurora spyplane either is non-existent or was only a technology demonstrator to test manned airbreathing flight in the Mach 4-6 range.

This, like the book, X Bombers and Fighters is a very good guide to the glory days of American Aviation. The short programatic histories are very good and historicaly valuable although the ones in the X bomber and fighters book are better and that book gives a much more complete picture of Aircraft technology and engines over time as it covers a much larger scope of work. Good sources for lost programs like the Lockheed SST proposal and their design for the F-15 competiiton. The history of early stealth and the F-22 and possible developments are told very extensively. Also the F-35 program coverage as well as the possible future aircraft are excellent. One of the very few aviation books that tells you things you did not know and has pictures you never saw before which puts in in a special class. If you Liked X Bombers and Fighters you will want this to go with it.

It was ok, but not great. A lot of detail about the administration of programs and political decisions. A few facts I hadn't heard already. Unfortunately, it was very light on the technical challenges overcome on the various aircraft. It seemed somewhat superficial on the technology. It was interesting to note that many cancelled programs fed their technology into later programs. So we didn't ever waste anything, even though we seemed to get many things ready to produce and then cancel the things, probably wasting a lot of money.One thing I was flabbergasted by was how the author somehow forgot that we never captured Bagdad in 1991. He seems to have confused the two Iraq wars... Really made me wonder what else he got wrong.

Modern history that lead to the present state of avionics is enjoyable to read about. The author created an intellectually stimulating and visually appealing book. It feels good, knowing that what was once science fiction is now history. With this book I am inspired to dream about the future of avionics and smile knowing impossible dreams can become history with the work of dedicated people.

My father was an engineer for Lockheed Skunk Works. A great memorabilia coffee table book. Absolutely love it.

Awesome great, pictures are fun to look over multiple times. Oh yeah and I has words too. Too bad it doesn't mention Mr. Kelly Johnson. Author of Skunk works internet provided more information

Excellent book, great photos. Only noticed one typo which is excusable for a Kindle edition.I would give 5 stars if pages and more pages of contract and serial numbers were omitted. They did not add much to the overall history.

Beautiful looking book. Quality production. This was a great gift for an interested reader. Wonderful.

Tried to read through this, as I'm something of a planes/engineering nut, but the book just didn't hold my interest.

Some nice illustrations of airplane types/projects, previously unknown to me, but generally very little technical information and sloppily edited. Some pictures are literally shown twice. Information is not arranged in a logical manner. Where are the old master airplane jounalists like Bill Sweetman etc?

great book, answered many questions that other books did not good value

Great book

simply a n excellent book on this subject....a must if you are an aviation fan