[PDF] The Blackbirds And Me My Incredible Journey With The Lockheed Skunk Works eBook

Author : Lew Williams
Publisher : Independently Published
Page : 64 pages
File Size : 28,33 MB
Release : 2019-03-31
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9781090326515

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I walked into the future on a February morning in 1961. I had an exciting career in which I had the privilege of working on all of the BLACKBIRD aircraft. These aircraft were so sleek, so futuristic, so far beyond any other aircraft I had ever seen. There I was, standing in the future of Aviation. The airplane called the A-12 was the predecessor to the SR-71. This airplane was so secret that only a very select few people would know of her presence. The SR-71 would be a follow on of the A-12 and the whole world saw her for the first time on September 1, 1974 in a speed run from New York to London. The world speed record would be one hour and fifty four minutes. The SR-71 was already being used to bring pertinent information from all over the world back to the U.S. concerning the current political situation.

Author : Leo Janos
Publisher : Little, Brown
Page : 400 pages
File Size : 42,71 MB
Release : 2013-02-26
Category : History
ISBN : 031624693X

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This classic history of America's high-stakes quest to dominate the skies is "a gripping technothriller in which the technology is real" (New York Times Book Review). From the development of the U-2 to the Stealth fighter, Skunk Works is the true story of America's most secret and successful aerospace operation. As recounted by Ben Rich, the operation's brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the chronicle of Lockheed's legendary Skunk Works is a drama of Cold War confrontations and Gulf War air combat, of extraordinary feats of engineering and human achievement against fantastic odds. Here are up-close portraits of the maverick band of scientists and engineers who made the Skunk Works so renowned. Filled with telling personal anecdotes and high adventure, with narratives from the CIA and from Air Force pilots who flew the many classified, risky missions, this book is a riveting portrait of the most spectacular aviation triumphs of the twentieth century. "Thoroughly engrossing." --Los Angeles Times Book Review

Author : James C. Goodall
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 385 pages
File Size : 45,49 MB
Release : 2021-05-13
Category : History
ISBN : 1472846451

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The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works was founded in the summer of 1943 to develop a jet-powered high-altitude interceptor for the USAAF, and ever since it has been at the forefront of technological development in the world of aviation. From the XP-80 to the U-2, SR-71, F-117, F-22 and now the F-35, the Skunk Works team has designed aircraft that are the pinnacle of innovation and performance. 75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works takes us through the history of this legendary facility from its foundation at the height of World War II under the talented engineer, Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, through to the present day. Illustrated with over a thousand photographs and drawings, it details the 46 unclassified programmes developed by the Skunk Works, following them through prototype build-up, first flight and, if they reached the frontline, operational service.

Author : Ben R. Rich
Publisher : Little Brown & Company
Page : 370 pages
File Size : 44,92 MB
Release : 1994
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9780316743303

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The onetime director of the top-secret Lockheed facility that developed the U-2 spy plane and the Stealth fighter reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the development of the military's aerial technology

Author : Dennis R. Jenkins
Publisher :
Page : 132 pages
File Size : 34,47 MB
Release :
Category : Aeronautics
ISBN : 9781610607285

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Since 1943, scores of remarkable aircraft have rolled out of the hangars occupied by Lockheed's top-secret Skunk Works program. This in-depth look at the famous research-and-design team's secret projects reveals the nuts and bolts behind aircraft ranging from the P-80 Shooting Star to today's X-35 Joint Strike Fighter prototype. While the emphasis is on high-profile products like the U-2 Dragon Lady, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk and F-22 Raptor, the book also examines Skunk Works projects that have yet to be covered in book form, including the Tier III Minus DarkStar unmanned air vehicle and the X-33 VentureStar orbiter. Photographs from Lockheed and private archives help explain how the Skunk Works have revolutionized military aviation from the jet age to stealth and beyond.

Author : Paul F. Crickmore
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 474 pages
File Size : 50,47 MB
Release : 2016-11-17
Category : History
ISBN : 1472815246

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Using previously unpublished information, globally renowned expert Paul Crickmore builds upon his definitive account of the SR-71 Blackbird, In 1986 Paul Crickmore's first groundbreaking book about the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was published. At that time, the Cold War was at its height and the SR-71 was an integral element in securing crucial intelligence from all parts of the globe. The highly sensitive nature of its missions couldn't be compromised, and it wasn't until the end of the Cold War that the operational exploits of this incredible aeronautical masterpiece could be openly written about. As time passed has more and more information has come to light, with a vast number of official documents declassified and key military figures able to talk openly about the Blackbird programme. Paul Crickmore has used these updated facts to revise his previous history of one of the world's most iconic aircraft of all time, creating what will surely be considered the definitive, timeless volume about the SR-71 Blackbird.

Author : David Scott Robarge
Publisher : Government Printing Office
Page : 68 pages
File Size : 41,42 MB
Release : 2007
Category : Reconnaissance aircraft
ISBN :

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Table of Contents: From Drawing Board to Factory Floor; Lockheed's Aviation Genius; Breaking Through Technological Barriers; Full Stress Testing; Hiding OXCART in Plain Sight; Finding a Mission; A Futile Fight for Survival; References; A-12 Schematic; Timeline of OXCART Milestones; Inventory of A-12s; BLACK SHIELD Missions; The OXCART Family; Bibliography.

Author : Richard H. Graham
Publisher : Quarto Publishing Group USA
Page : 291 pages
File Size : 36,1 MB
Release : 2015-10-26
Category : History
ISBN : 1627888098

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The ultimate guide to the history, development, manufacture, modification, and active service of all fifty models in the SR-71 program. At the height of the Cold War in 1964, President Johnson announced a new aircraft dedicated to strategic reconnaissance. The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane flew more than three-and-a-half times the speed of sound—so fast that no other aircraft could catch it. Above 80,000 feet, its pilots had to wear full-pressure flight suits similar to what was used aboard the space shuttle. Developed by the renowned Lockheed Skunk Works, the SR-71 was an awesome aircraft in every respect. It was withdrawn from use in 1998, when it was superseded by satellite technology. Twelve of the thirty-two aircraft were destroyed in accidents, but none were ever lost to enemy action. Throughout its thirty-four-year career, the SR-71 was the world’s fastest and highest-flying operational manned aircraft. It set world records for altitude and speed: an absolute altitude record of 85,069 feet and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2 miles per hour. The Complete Book of the SR-71 Blackbird covers every aspect of the SR-71’s development, manufacture, modification, and active service from the insider’s perspective of one of its pilots and is lavishly illustrated with more than 400 photos. Former pilot and author Richard Graham also examines each of the fifty planes that came out the SR-71 program (fifteen A-12s; three YF-12s; and thirty-two SR-71s) and tells each plane’s history, its unique specifications, and where each currently resides.

Author : National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Publisher : Good Press
Page : 279 pages
File Size : 32,32 MB
Release : 2023-12-28
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN :

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The Smell of Kerosene: A Test Pilot's Odyssey encapsulates the daring and the danger inherent in the uncharted territories of early space and aircraft testing. The collection stands as a testimonial to the evolution of aeronautics, narrating the exhilarating experiences of test pilots and their indispensable role in shaping modern aviation and space exploration. Through a compilation of memoirs, technical reports, and firsthand accounts, the anthology presents a rich tapestry of literary styles, from the methodical precision of technical writing to the deeply personal and reflective tales of peril and perseverance. This diversity underscores the anthology's broader theme - the human spirit's unyielding quest for knowledge and conquest of the skies. The contributors, primarily from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration alongside notable figures like Donald L. Mallick and Peter W. Merlin, bring a wealth of experience and insight. Their backgrounds, ranging from engineering and test piloting to aerospace history, provide a comprehensive overview of the historical and technological context of air and space exploration. Their collective narratives not only honor the legacy of the fields pioneers but also highlight the interdisciplinary nature of aeronautics, where science meets human daring. The Smell of Kerosene is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the interface between human ambition and technological progress. It offers readers a unique opportunity to engage with the personal triumphs and challenges of those who have pushed the boundaries of what was technologically possible. This anthology serves not only as an educational resource but also as a source of inspiration, urging readers to contemplate the vastness of human achievement through the prism of aeronautics and space exploration. It invites a diverse audience, from academicians to enthusiasts, to dive into the depths of this pivotal era in aerospace history.

Author :
Publisher : DIANE Publishing
Page : 507 pages
File Size : 29,63 MB
Release : 2001
Category :
ISBN : 1428990437

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Jerry Thigpen's study on the history of the Combat Talon is the first effort to tell the story of this wonderfully capable machine. This weapons system has performed virtually every imaginable tactical event in the spectrum of conflict and by any measure is the most versatile C-130 derivative ever produced. First modified and sent to Southeast Asia (SEA) in 1966 to replace theater unconventional warfare (UW) assets that were limited in both lift capability and speed the Talon I quickly adapted to theater UW tasking including infiltration and resupply and psychological warfare operations into North Vietnam. After spending four years in SEA and maturing into a highly respected UW weapons system the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) chose the Combat Talon to lead the night low-level raid on the North Vietnamese prison camp at Son Tay. Despite the outcome of the operation the Talon I cemented its reputation as the weapons system of choice for long-range clandestine operations. In the period following the Vietnam War United States Air Force (USAF) special operations gradually lost its political and financial support which was graphically demonstrated in the failed Desert One mission into Iran. Thanks to congressional supporters like Earl Hutto of Florida and Dan Daniel of Virginia funds for aircraft upgrades and military construction projects materialized to meet the ever-increasing threat to our nation. Under the leadership of such committed hard-driven officers as Brenci Uttaro Ferkes Meller and Thigpen the crew force became the most disciplined in our Air Force. It was capable of penetrating hostile airspace at night in a low-level mountainous environment covertly to execute any number of unconventional warfare missions.