Skunk Works by Ben R. Rich & Leo Janos

The head of Lockheed's secret aerospace division reveals the mechanical breakthroughs, black budgets, and tactical defense strategies that produced the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, and F-117 stealth fighter.

Ben R. Rich, former head of Lockheed’s clandestine Burbank development unit, partners with Leo Janos to expose the high-stakes engineering battles of the Cold War. This insider record traces the development of radar-evading stealth technology under impossible military deadlines. Rich unpacks the mechanics behind supersonic test flights, secret Pentagon budget skirmishes, and covert reconnaissance missions over hostile territory. Driven by unconventional problem-solving and radical management, a small, autonomous team of engineers bypassed corporate bureaucracy to forge revolutionary titanium airframes and jet propulsion systems that altered global aerial warfare forever.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Rich builds a highly detailed picture of mid-century aerospace laboratories, capturing the functional mechanics of black-budget project management and prototype construction. This technical memoir serves as a study for history enthusiasts, aviation purists, and professionals analyzing unconventional innovation frameworks.