Skunk works: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Skunk works is a term used in aerospace engineering and other engineering and technical applications for secret projects.

As used by Lockheed

The Skunk Works is the unofficial name for Lockheed Martin's Lockheed Advanced Development Projects Unit and was the production unit responsible for a number of famous aircraft, including the U-2, the SR-71, and the F-117. Its newest project of note is the F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter), which will be used in the air forces of several countries around the world. Production is expected to last for up to 4 decades.

The history of the Skunk Works began with the World War II period, when the "black" projects of the Skunk Works were located near the Burbank Airport, now renamed Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California. The legendary Kelly Johnson and team developed the P-80 "Shooting Star" in makeshift quarters in only 143 days. This aircraft was the U.S. Air Force's first operational jet fighter.

After the end of the Cold War in 1989, Lockheed reorganized its operations and relocated the Skunk Works to Site 10 at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California where it is still in operation today.

Skunk works also refers to a unit within a company that attempts to use the techniques of the original skunk works.

Skunk works is also used to refer to projects undertaken by engineers without the knowledge or approval of company management. Famous examples of successful skunk works include the porting of Linux to the IBM S/390 series of mainframes. The inception of AOL Instant Messenger was also termed a "skunk works" project by its original creator, who was one of AOL's earliest programmers.

The name came from the popular comic strip Li'l Abner by cartoonist Al Capp. In the comic, the Skonk Works was a small factory whose business used skunks (the exact nature of this enterprise was never explained). The Skonk Works was located far from other human habitation due to the terrible odor, and people who worked at the Skonk Works could only communicate with people of the outside world by yelling at them from a great distance while downwind.

On the request of the copyright holders, Lockheed changed the name of the development facility to Skunk Works.

See also Area 51; USAF Plant 42