Skunk works

Three SR-71A in different stages of production at the Lockheed Skunk Works (Site 2, Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale)

Secret projects (also known as black projects ) are referred to as Skunk works ( skunk means "skunk") . The term is also used for projects that employees carry out without the knowledge of company management (e.g. porting the Linux kernel to the IBM S / 390 ).

The name Skunk Works was originally used in the Lockheed Martin company as a semi-official name for the research and construction department of the Lockheed Advanced Development Projects Unit , which was instrumental in the development of many, sometimes secret, aircraft projects.

The term is said to go back to the comic Li'l Abner by Al Capp . There, in the factory Skonk Works using skunks (English skunk ) creates an unspecified designated product.

Web links

• Skunk Works website by Lockheed Martin