Lockheed Martin’s (formally known as Advanced Development Programs) is widely regarded as the premier aerospace innovation hub in history. For over 80 years, it has operated as a semi-autonomous division dedicated to solving "impossible" national security challenges through rapid prototyping and radical engineering. The Origin Story
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
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. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works