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Lockheed

Lockheed Corporation (1912–1995) was an American aerospace and defense manufacturer founded by aviation pioneers Allan and Malcolm Loughead, renowned for pioneering high-performance aircraft that advanced military reconnaissance, fighter capabilities, and commercial aviation before its merger with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin.^[1]^[2] The company originated in a Santa Barbara garage as the Alco-Hydro Aeroplane Company on December 19, 1912, initially focused on hydroplanes before evolving into a key player in fixed-wing aircraft design amid the interwar period's technological boom.^[1] By the 1930s, under leadership including Robert Gross and engineers like Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, it established the secretive Skunk Works division, which accelerated rapid prototyping and delivered breakthroughs under tight deadlines.^[3] Lockheed's defining contributions included World War II-era fighters like the twin-engine P-38 Lightning, which achieved the first U.S.-designed aircraft kill against an enemy plane and logged over 10,000 victories, alongside the long-range Constellation airliner that set transatlantic speed records and influenced postwar civil aviation.^[2] Postwar innovations encompassed Cold War icons such as the high-altitude U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane, capable of sustained operations above 70,000 feet, and the Mach 3+ SR-71 Blackbird, which remains the fastest manned air-breathing aircraft ever built, evading interception through sheer velocity and stealth precursors.^[4] The firm's versatility extended to transport aircraft like the durable C-130 Hercules, with over 2,600 units produced since 1954 for tactical airlift in diverse environments, and later stealth fighters including the F-117 Nighthawk, the first operational aircraft to employ radar-absorbent materials effectively.^[5] These developments underscored Lockheed's emphasis on engineering feats driven by empirical testing and iterative design, often in collaboration with U.S. military needs.^[2] Amid these successes, Lockheed encountered severe financial strains, including bailouts from the U.S. government in the 1970s to avert bankruptcy, tied to overruns on projects like the L-1011 TriStar airliner.^[2] The company also faced international scrutiny through bribery scandals revealed in 1976, involving payments exceeding $22 million to officials in nations including Japan, the Netherlands, and Italy to secure aircraft sales, which exposed systemic incentives in global defense procurement and directly catalyzed the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 prohibiting such practices by American firms.^[6]^[7] Lockheed's guilty plea in related FCPA conspiracy charges affirmed the scope of these illicit commissions, marking a pivotal enforcement benchmark despite defenses framing some payments as customary offsets in competitive markets.^[8] The 1995 merger consolidated its legacy into Lockheed Martin, a dominant contractor with annual revenues surpassing $60 billion by 2024, perpetuating focus on fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 Lightning II.^[1]^[5]

History

Founding and Early Development (1913–1930s)

The Alco Hydro-Aeroplane Company was incorporated on December 19, 1912, in San Francisco by brothers Allan Haines Loughead and Malcolm Loughead, marking the origins of what would become Lockheed.^[9] The brothers, inspired by early aviation experiments including Allan's 1910 glider flights, focused on designing and building seaplanes for commercial and exhibition purposes.^[1] Their first product, the Model G hydro-aeroplane, achieved its maiden flight on June 15, 1913, from a boat ramp into San Francisco Bay, demonstrating viability in water-based operations despite initial mechanical challenges.^[1] In 1916, the company relocated to Santa Barbara, California, and was renamed the Loughead Aircraft Manufacturing Company, where it produced the F-1, a twin-engine flying boat intended for passenger transport with capacity for up to ten occupants.^[10] The F-1 debuted successfully but faced stiff competition from surplus military aircraft flooding the market after World War I, leading to financial difficulties; the firm ceased operations around 1920–1921 amid economic contraction and inadequate sales.^[11] Allan Loughead, having legally changed his surname to Lockheed in 1926 to simplify pronunciation, reentered the industry by co-founding the Lockheed Aircraft Company on December 13, 1926, in Hollywood, California, with investors including John Northrop, Fred Keeler, and Kenneth Kay; the name was deliberately spelled phonetically. The company's breakthrough came with the Model 5 Vega, a single-engine, high-wing monoplane designed by Northrop and introduced in 1927, noted for its speed exceeding 130 mph and all-wood construction enabling rapid production.^[12] By 1929, approximately 40 Vegas had been sold, attracting high-profile users such as explorer George Hubert Wilkins for polar expeditions and aviator Charles Lindbergh for surveying flights, which bolstered the firm's reputation through demonstrated reliability in extreme conditions.^[12] The late 1920s expansion included production of the Vega variants and the Air Express cargo model, but the 1929 stock market crash triggered acquisition by Detroit Aircraft Corporation in 1929, followed by bankruptcy in 1931 due to overleveraged debt and depressed demand.^[11] Reorganized as the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in 1932 under new management led by Robert E. Gross, the company relocated to Burbank, California, and shifted toward diversified designs, culminating in the Model 10 Electra twin-engine transport in 1934, which featured innovative stressed-skin aluminum construction and set the stage for future commercial viability with orders from airlines like Northwest Airways.^[11] Through this period, Lockheed's survival hinged on engineering innovations amid recurrent financial instability, producing fewer than 150 aircraft total by the decade's end.^[12]

World War II Contributions (1940s)

Lockheed began significant contributions to the Allied war effort prior to formal U.S. entry into World War II, with the June 1938 British Air Ministry order for 200 Hudson light bombers marking the largest export contract ever received by an American aircraft manufacturer at the time.^[13] The Hudson, a militarized variant of the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner, entered production in 1938 and served primarily in reconnaissance, anti-submarine patrol, and light bombing roles for the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth forces.^[14] Over 2,000 Hudsons were delivered to the RAF between 1938 and 1942, comprising about 70% of total Hudson output, with the type achieving milestones such as the first American-designed aircraft to destroy an enemy plane in the war and the first Allied aircraft to down a foe operating from the British Isles.^[15] Production of the Hudson and its successor, the Ventura medium bomber (derived from the Lodestar transport), continued through 1943, totaling approximately 2,189 Hudsons and around 2,750 Venturas, which were employed in maritime patrol, convoy escort, and bombing missions across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific theaters.^[16]^[17] The P-38 Lightning twin-engine fighter represented Lockheed's most prominent WWII contribution, with development initiated in 1937 to meet U.S. Army Air Corps specifications for a high-altitude interceptor.^[18] Entering production in 1940, the P-38 became the only U.S. front-line fighter manufactured continuously from the war's outset through its conclusion, achieving a top speed of over 400 mph as the first such American aircraft.^[18] A total of 10,038 P-38s were built by war's end, with the design's twin-boom configuration, tricycle landing gear, and powerful Allison engines enabling versatile roles including fighter escort, ground attack, and reconnaissance across all theaters.^[19] In the Pacific, P-38s scored notable successes, such as the April 18, 1943, Operation Vengeance mission that downed Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's aircraft, and amassed over 1,800 enemy plane victories.^[20] Lockheed's wartime facilities, employing up to 53,000 workers by late 1941, produced a combined total of approximately 19,000 aircraft, accounting for 6-9% of U.S. military aviation output amid the national effort that yielded over 300,000 planes.^[21]^[4] To counter aerial reconnaissance threats, Lockheed implemented elaborate camouflage measures at its Burbank plants, disguising assembly lines and runways as agricultural fields.^[22] These efforts supported Allied air superiority, particularly through the P-38's long-range capabilities in the vast Pacific distances, though the company's pivot to jet propulsion with the XP-80 prototype in 1944 foreshadowed post-war innovations.^[2]

Post-War Expansion and Jet Age (1950s–1960s)

Following World War II, Lockheed capitalized on accumulated expertise in aircraft design to expand into jet propulsion and Cold War-era military requirements, establishing itself as a key contractor for the U.S. armed forces. The company's Advanced Development Projects unit, informally known as Skunk Works and led by engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, focused on rapid, secretive prototyping to meet urgent national security needs. This period saw Lockheed's workforce and facilities grow significantly, with new divisions formed to handle missile systems and advanced aerodynamics, reflecting a shift from piston-engine dominance to turbojet and turboprop innovations.^[23]^[24] A cornerstone of Lockheed's jet-age advancements was the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, designed by Skunk Works starting in 1952 to conduct high-altitude surveillance beyond surface-to-air missile reach. The U-2 achieved its first flight on August 29, 1955, under test pilot Tony LeVier, and entered operational service in 1956, flying missions over denied territories at altitudes exceeding 70,000 feet equipped with cameras and sensors. Complementing this, the XF-104 prototype—a needle-nosed supersonic interceptor prioritizing extreme speed (Mach 2+) and climb rate—flew for the first time on March 4, 1954, evolving into the production F-104 Starfighter that entered U.S. Air Force service in 1958 and was exported to numerous allies.^[25]^[24]^[24] Lockheed's versatility extended to tactical transports with the YC-130 Hercules prototype, a four-engine turboprop designed for rough-field operations, which recorded its maiden flight on August 23, 1954, and achieved initial operational capability in December 1956; over 2,600 units would be built, serving in diverse roles from troop transport to gunship conversions. By the early 1960s, Skunk Works initiated the A-12 program—precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird—authorized in 1960 to create a Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance platform immune to interception, with the first A-12 flight occurring on April 30, 1962, followed by the SR-71's debut on December 22, 1964. These developments, funded largely by government contracts, propelled Lockheed's revenue growth and technological leadership, though they also introduced engineering challenges like titanium airframe fabrication for high-speed endurance.^[26]^[4]^[24]

Challenges and Diversification (1970s–1980s)

In the early 1970s, Lockheed faced acute financial pressures from massive cost overruns on the C-5 Galaxy strategic airlift program, which required the company to absorb a $200 million loss under a settlement with the U.S. government that reimbursed $758 million in disputed production expenses.^[27] These overruns, stemming from technical complexities in developing the largest military aircraft at the time, exacerbated liquidity crises and nearly led to bankruptcy, prompting Congress to enact the Emergency Loan Guarantee Act of 1971, providing up to $250 million in federally backed loans.^[28] The intervention stabilized operations but highlighted vulnerabilities in fixed-price contracts amid escalating development costs. The concurrent L-1011 TriStar commercial jetliner program intensified these strains, with production delays triggered by Rolls-Royce's 1971 bankruptcy disrupting engine supply and certification. Only 250 aircraft were sold against break-even projections exceeding 500, resulting in cumulative losses of $2.5 billion by the time production ended in December 1981.^[29] Lockheed fully withdrew from civil aviation manufacturing in 1984, redirecting resources to higher-margin military work to mitigate commercial market risks and competition from Boeing and McDonnell Douglas.^[30] Reputational setbacks compounded operational woes, as investigations revealed Lockheed's involvement in multimillion-dollar bribes to foreign officials from the late 1950s through the 1970s to secure aircraft sales in countries including Japan and the Netherlands.^[31] Despite these scandals, defense contracts facilitated recovery; by 1979, debt had fallen $400 million from 1974 peaks, and shareholder equity rose to $280 million from $26 million.^[32] A 1976 refinancing plan further eased burdens by converting bank debt to equity and bonds.^[33] To reduce reliance on aircraft programs, Lockheed diversified in the 1980s under leaders like Daniel Tellep, emphasizing missiles, space systems, and electronics while attempting limited expansions into areas such as airport management and information services with modest outcomes.^[34] Key efforts included submarine-launched Trident ballistic missiles and contributions to NASA's Voyager probes (launched 1977) and Hubble Space Telescope integration.^[2] The Skunk Works division advanced stealth technology, yielding the F-117 Nighthawk's first flight in 1981, bolstering classified military innovation amid Cold War demands.^[2] This pivot restored profitability, with defense revenues driving sustained growth through the decade.

Path to Merger (1990s)

In the early 1990s, Lockheed Corporation confronted severe financial pressures stemming from the abrupt contraction of U.S. defense spending following the Cold War's end in 1991, which reduced military procurement budgets by approximately 67% from their 1985 peak.^[35] The company's 1989 net losses exceeded $400 million, largely attributable to overruns on the canceled P-7A Navy patrol aircraft program and other fixed-price contracts strained by declining revenues.^[36] These challenges were compounded by hostile takeover bids from investor Harold Simmons, who accumulated significant Lockheed stock starting in 1988 and launched unsuccessful acquisition attempts in 1990 and 1991, prompting defensive measures like a shareholder rights plan.^[37] Amid broader industry turmoil, where defense contractors faced layoffs, plant closures, and shrinking orders—exemplified by California's loss of about 20,000 defense jobs between 1987 and 1989—a pivotal 1993 Pentagon meeting, informally dubbed "The Last Supper," urged major firms to consolidate for survival.^[38]^[39] Under CEO Norman Augustine, who succeeded Daniel Tellep in 1995 but had influenced strategy earlier, Lockheed pursued mergers to achieve economies of scale and preserve capabilities in a market where standalone viability was increasingly untenable.^[40]^[41] The decisive step occurred in August 1994, when Lockheed announced a $10 billion "merger of equals" with Martin Marietta, the third-largest U.S. defense contractor, following preliminary talks amid parallel industry pairings like Northrop-Grumman with Ryan Aeronautical.^[42]^[43] This transaction, scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission for antitrust concerns, integrated complementary strengths—Lockheed's aircraft expertise with Martin Marietta's missiles and electronics—while eliminating redundancies.^[40] Stockholders approved the deal in early 1995, culminating in the official formation of Lockheed Martin Corporation on March 15, 1995, which reduced the combined workforce by about 25% to 130,000 employees by year's end to align with diminished demand.^[42]^[44] The merger positioned the new entity as the world's largest defense firm, better equipped to navigate ongoing budget austerity through cost efficiencies and bid competitiveness.^[45]

Products and Technologies

Military Aircraft

Lockheed developed the P-38 Lightning as its first major military aircraft, a twin-engine fighter conceived in 1936 and authorized for production in June 1937, with the prototype achieving a coast-to-coast record flight on February 11, 1939.^[46] Introduced in 1940, it reached speeds of 400 mph—100 mph faster than contemporaries—and climbed at 3,300 feet per minute, serving as a high-altitude interceptor and ground-attack platform throughout World War II with over 10,000 units produced.^[47]^[48] Transitioning to the jet age, the P-80 Shooting Star became the United States' first operational jet fighter, with its prototype flying on January 8, 1944, and production models exceeding 500 mph in level flight during tests at 20,480 feet.^[49] Entering service late in World War II, approximately 1,731 were built, marking Lockheed's entry into turbojet propulsion and influencing subsequent designs like the F-94 Starfire night fighter.^[50]^[51] The F-104 Starfighter, initiated in 1952 in response to Korean War experiences against the MiG-15, featured a first flight of the XF-104 prototype on March 4, 1954, and achieved Mach 2 capability as the first U.S. fighter to do so, setting a world speed record of 1,404 mph on May 18, 1958.^[52]^[53] Designed by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson for supersonic interception and day fighter roles, over 2,500 were produced, with export variants serving in NATO air forces despite operational challenges including high accident rates in certain fleets.^[54] Lockheed's Skunk Works division advanced stealth technology with the F-117 Nighthawk, an angular attack aircraft whose first prototype flight occurred on June 18, 1981, at Groom Lake, Nevada, following a 1978 contract award.^[55] Deliveries began in 1982, achieving initial operational capability in October 1983 as the first aircraft built specifically for low-observability to radar, enabling precision strikes in operations like Just Cause in Panama on December 19, 1989, and Desert Storm.^[56]^[57] A total of 59 were produced, retiring in 2008 after proving the viability of radar-absorbent materials and faceted airframes for penetrating defended airspace.^[58]

Reconnaissance and Special Projects

Lockheed developed the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft in response to U.S. intelligence needs during the early Cold War, with design work beginning in 1954 under Clarence L. Johnson at the company's Advanced Development Projects unit. The CIA awarded the contract for the CL-282 (Aquatone) design, emphasizing extreme altitude to photograph Soviet targets beyond interceptor range; the prototype achieved first flight on August 4, 1955, and entered operational service in 1956, flying missions over denied areas including the Soviet Union starting that year. Capable of sustaining altitudes above 70,000 feet with a single Pratt & Whitney J57 engine, the U-2 provided critical imagery until vulnerabilities exposed by the 1960 shootdown of Francis Gary Powers' aircraft prompted successors.^[59]^[60] To address U-2 limitations, Lockheed's Skunk Works initiated the OXCART program in 1959, yielding the A-12 as a Mach 3+ successor for the CIA; the contract specified titanium construction for high-speed durability, with the first flight occurring on April 30, 1962, using rocket-assisted takeoff. Operational from 1963 to 1968, the A-12 reached speeds of Mach 3.2 and altitudes near 90,000 feet, conducting 29 BLACK SHIELD missions over East Asia from Kadena Air Base to support Vietnam War intelligence gathering without losses to enemy action. The Air Force variant evolved into the YF-12 interceptor and SR-71 strategic reconnaissance platform, with the SR-71 achieving first flight on December 22, 1964, and entering service in January 1966 with the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing; it logged over 3,000 sorties by retirement in 1990, maintaining speeds exceeding Mach 3 and altitudes above 85,000 feet using Pratt & Whitney J58 engines.^[61]^[62]^[63] Special projects encompassed classified efforts beyond production aircraft, including the Have Blue demonstrator program launched in 1975 to validate faceted stealth geometry for radar evasion, which informed subsequent low-observable reconnaissance concepts though primarily advancing strike capabilities. These initiatives, conducted under stringent secrecy, prioritized technological leaps in speed, altitude, and signature reduction to ensure overflight survivability against evolving threats, with empirical testing at sites like Groom Lake validating performance metrics against theoretical models.^[64]^[65]

Transport and Cargo Aircraft

Lockheed Corporation developed several pivotal military transport and cargo aircraft, primarily for the U.S. Air Force, emphasizing tactical and strategic airlift capabilities to address limitations exposed in conflicts like the Korean War. These designs prioritized versatility, reliability, and the ability to operate from unprepared airstrips, with the C-130 Hercules serving as a foundational tactical platform, while the C-141 Starlifter and C-5 Galaxy advanced strategic heavy-lift requirements.^[66]^[67]^[68] The C-130 Hercules, a high-wing, four-engine turboprop aircraft, originated from a 1951 U.S. Air Force contract awarded to Lockheed to create a versatile tactical airlifter capable of short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations.^[69] Its prototype, the YC-130, achieved first flight on August 23, 1954, and entered service in December 1956, with over 2,500 units produced by 2015 across variants including the C-130E and modernized C-130J Super Hercules.^[66]^[70] The aircraft's Allison T56 turboprops enabled payload capacities up to 45,000 pounds, supporting troop transport, cargo delivery, aerial refueling, and special operations, with a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles when loaded.^[71] Production continues at Lockheed's Marietta, Georgia facility, underscoring its enduring design.^[72] The C-141 Starlifter represented Lockheed's entry into jet-powered strategic airlift, selected in 1960 as the U.S. Air Force's first purpose-built jet freighter meeting military standards for troop and cargo transport.^[67] First flying on December 4, 1963, it entered operational service in April 1965, with 285 aircraft delivered by 1969, including stretched C-141B variants from 1977 that increased cargo volume by 30% through fuselage extensions and stretched fuselages.^[73] Powered by four Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofans, it could carry up to 210 troops or 70,000 pounds of cargo over 3,500 miles, facilitating rapid global deployment and earning records like the first jet paratrooper jumps and Antarctic landings.^[74] The fleet performed humanitarian missions in nearly 70 countries before retirement in 2006, replaced by more efficient designs.^[67] Lockheed's C-5 Galaxy, the largest military transport in U.S. inventory, was conceived in the mid-1960s to meet demands for outsized cargo airlift, with development contracted in 1965 and maiden flight on June 30, 1968.^[75] Production yielded 81 C-5A models by 1973 and 50 C-5B models through 1989, capable of transporting 270,000 pounds of payload—including main battle tanks or multiple helicopters—over intercontinental distances without refueling, thanks to its high-bypass GE TF39 engines and 122-foot cargo bay.^[68] Upgrades to the C-5M Super Galaxy, completed on 52 airframes by 2014, incorporated new CF6-80C2 engines and avionics, extending service life to 2040 and improving fuel efficiency by 30%.^[76] Despite early cost overruns borne by the government, the Galaxy enabled 100% transport of certified air-mobile cargo, proving essential in operations from Vietnam to Afghanistan.^[77]

Commercial Airliners

Lockheed's entry into commercial airliners began with the Constellation series, originally conceived in 1939 as a long-range transport but accelerated for wartime needs, with the prototype L-049 first flying on January 9, 1943. Postwar, civilian variants entered service in 1945 with airlines such as Trans World Airlines (TWA), which used the aircraft to halve transcontinental flight times to about 10 hours through pressurized cabins and four Wright R-3350 radial engines.^[78] Over 800 Constellations, including sub-variants like the L-749 and L-1049 Super Constellation, were produced between 1943 and 1958 at the Burbank facility, serving major carriers worldwide until jet competition diminished their role by the late 1950s.^[79] The Lockheed L-188 Electra, a turboprop designed for short- to medium-haul routes, addressed the transition from piston engines with its first flight on December 6, 1957, and certification for 75-99 passengers entering revenue service in 1959 with American Airlines.^[80]^[81] Powered by four Allison T56 turboprops, approximately 170 units were built, but early operations faced scrutiny after structural failures in two crashes in 1959 and 1960, traced to propeller gearbox resonance issues that were mitigated through redesigned hubs and reduced speeds by 1963.^[82] Despite these challenges, the Electra achieved viability in cargo and regional roles, with some airframes enduring into firefighting use decades later.^[83] Lockheed's final major commercial effort, the L-1011 TriStar widebody trijet, aimed at competing with the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, featuring advanced avionics like autoland capability and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines for transatlantic efficiency.^[84] First delivered in April 1972 to Eastern Air Lines and TWA, production totaled 250 aircraft through 1984, falling short of the roughly 500 needed for profitability due to Rolls-Royce's two-year development delays, high unit costs exceeding $20 million, and market saturation.^[85]^[86] The TriStar demonstrated exceptional dispatch reliability above 98%, but cumulative losses near $2.5 billion prompted Lockheed's exit from civil aviation, shifting focus to defense contracts.^[84]^[87]

Missiles, Space Systems, and Other Ventures

Lockheed Missiles and Space Company (LMSC), established in the early 1950s as part of Lockheed's diversification into guided weapons, became the prime contractor for the U.S. Navy's Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) program in 1956.^[88] The Polaris A-1 achieved its first successful underwater launch on July 20, 1960, from the USS George Washington, marking the operational debut of a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine force with a range of approximately 1,200 nautical miles.^[88]^[89] Subsequent variants, including the Polaris A-2 (deployed 1962 with extended range to 1,700 nautical miles) and A-3 (1964, up to 2,500 nautical miles), equipped 28 U.S. submarines and were licensed to the Royal Navy starting in 1968, enhancing NATO deterrence during the Cold War.^[89] Building on Polaris success, LMSC developed the Poseidon C-3 missile in the late 1960s, introducing multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) for greater payload flexibility, with initial deployment on U.S. submarines in 1971.^[90] This evolved into the Trident I C-4 (1979, range over 4,000 nautical miles) and Trident II D-5 (1989, up to 7,000 nautical miles with improved accuracy), which remain in service on Ohio-class and Vanguard-class submarines, respectively, comprising the backbone of U.S. and allied sea-based nuclear deterrence.^[91] LMSC's missile innovations emphasized solid-fuel propulsion for rapid launch readiness and submarine compatibility, contributing to strategic stability by countering Soviet land-based ICBM vulnerabilities.^[89] In space systems, LMSC pioneered the Agena upper stage, a restartable liquid-fueled rocket engine system first launched on February 28, 1959, aboard Thor-Agena with the Discoverer 1 satellite, enabling precise orbital insertion for reconnaissance missions.^[92] Over 350 Agena stages flew through the 1980s, primarily paired with Thor, Atlas, and Titan boosters, supporting critical U.S. programs including the Corona KH-1 through KH-4 spy satellites (which recovered the first intelligence imagery from space in 1960), Ranger lunar impactors (1961–1965), Mariner Venus and Mars flybys (1962–1971), and Vela Hotel nuclear test detection satellites (1963–1967).^[92]^[93] Agena's versatility as an orbital maneuvering vehicle also facilitated Gemini rendezvous docking targets (1965–1966) and military payloads like the Midas early-warning satellites.^[94] Beyond core missiles and space hardware, Lockheed's Electronics Systems Group, integrated into LMSC operations by the 1970s, produced radar, sonar, and sensor technologies for non-launch applications, such as ocean surveillance systems deployed in the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) arrays for submarine detection during the Cold War.^[95] The division advanced avionics and data processing for missile guidance and satellite command-control, including early simulation tools for testing Polaris reentry vehicles.^[96] These efforts extended to prototype ventures in manned spaceflight support, like the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) jetpack tested in 1984 for shuttle extravehicular activity, emphasizing modular propulsion for astronaut mobility.^[2]

Organization and Operations

Key Facilities and Divisions

Lockheed's primary manufacturing and research facilities were concentrated in California and Georgia, reflecting its focus on aircraft, missiles, and space systems development. The Burbank facility, established in the 1920s and expanded during World War II, served as the company's headquarters and main production site for fighters like the P-38 Lightning and P-80 Shooting Star, operating for over 60 years until relocation efforts in the 1990s.^[97]^[98] In Palmdale, California, at Air Force Plant 42, Lockheed conducted advanced aircraft assembly, including over 700 F-104 Starfighters, and housed elements of its secretive Skunk Works program for rapid prototyping.^[99]^[100] The Marietta, Georgia, site—Air Force Plant No. 6, constructed in 1942–1943—became a key hub for large transport aircraft after Lockheed assumed operations post-war, producing models such as the C-130 Hercules starting in 1951 and the C-5 Galaxy in the 1960s, with employment peaking at around 30,000 workers by the 1980s.^[101] In Sunnyvale, California, adjacent to Moffett Field, the company operated a major satellite and missile production plant, focusing on programs like Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missiles and early reconnaissance satellites.^[102]^[103] Organizationally, Lockheed structured its operations through semi-autonomous divisions to manage specialized portfolios. The Lockheed-California Company, based in Burbank and Palmdale, handled commercial and military aircraft design and production, including the L-1011 TriStar airliner and F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter. The Lockheed-Georgia Company in Marietta specialized in military transports and bombers, contributing to diversification amid post-Vietnam defense cuts.^[101] The Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, formed in 1956 in Sunnyvale, developed intercontinental ballistic missiles, space launch vehicles, and reconnaissance systems, growing into a major revenue driver by the 1980s with projects like the Trident missile.^[104] Additionally, an electronics and avionics division, established in the late 1950s, supported integration of radar, navigation, and guidance systems across programs.^[105] These divisions operated with relative independence, enabling focused innovation but also contributing to internal competition for contracts.^[106]

Skunk Works and Advanced Development

The Skunk Works division, Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs, was founded in June 1943 when the U.S. Army Air Forces tasked the company with developing a jet fighter to counter German advances.^[3] Under Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson, the team produced a proposal for the XP-80 Shooting Star in July 1943 and began construction before a formal contract was signed on October 16, 1943; the prototype was completed in 143 days using a rented circus tent next to Lockheed's Burbank facility, earning its secretive nickname from the "Skunk Works" in the Li'l Abner comic strip due to the operation's isolation and faint chemical odors.^[3] This rapid development yielded America's first operational jet fighter, delivered 143 days ahead of schedule.^[107] Johnson established 14 rules and practices for managing Skunk Works projects, prioritizing small, autonomous teams, minimal bureaucracy, and efficient processes to enable breakthrough innovations under tight deadlines and secrecy.^[3] These include delegating near-complete program control to the manager (reporting to a division president or higher), limiting personnel to 10-25% of typical system sizes, enforcing simple documentation with flexibility for changes, conducting monthly cost reviews, and fostering trust between military customers and contractors while restricting outsider access.^[108] The rules emphasize pushing responsibility to subcontractors, agreeing on specifications early (often waiving rigid military standards), and accessing funds promptly to avoid financial strain on the contractor.^[108] Still applied today, they have enabled Skunk Works to secure eight Collier Trophies and the 2007 National Medal of Technology and Innovation for advancing aerospace capabilities.^[3] Skunk Works has delivered numerous landmark aircraft and systems, beginning with the P-80 Shooting Star in the 1940s, followed by the U-2 Dragon Lady high-altitude reconnaissance plane in the 1950s (which remains operational with upgraded avionics for continuous missions).^[107] In the 1960s, it produced the SR-71 Blackbird, capable of Mach 3.2 speeds and altitudes over 100,000 feet, along with the D-21 drone for Mach 3+ unmanned reconnaissance.^[107] The 1970s saw the Have Blue demonstrator pioneer stealth technology, leading to the F-117 Nighthawk's first delivery in 1982 and operational deployment in 1983.^[107] Subsequent efforts included the YF-22 prototype in the mid-1990s (basis for the F-22 Raptor, the first fifth-generation fighter), the X-35 demonstrators in the 2000s that won the Joint Strike Fighter competition and evolved into the F-35 Lightning II, and the X-56 multi-utility technology demonstrator in the 2010s for high-altitude long-endurance flutter suppression.^[107] More recently, Skunk Works developed the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft with NASA in the 2020s to mitigate sonic booms.^[107] Today, headquartered in Palmdale, California, Skunk Works continues advanced development in hypersonics, artificial intelligence, autonomy, unmanned systems, and low-observable technologies, often through classified programs comprising the majority of its portfolio.^[107] It integrates digital engineering to accelerate prototyping and reduce costs, supports U.S. Air Force acquisition reforms for faster capability delivery, and pursues integrated air dominance concepts combining stealth, speed, and human-machine teaming.^[107] Approximately 85% of projects remain confidential, sustaining its role in addressing urgent national security challenges through rapid, affordable innovation.^[109]

Controversies

Bribery Scandals and Ethical Lapses

In the 1970s, Lockheed Corporation engaged in widespread bribery of foreign government officials to secure international sales of military and commercial aircraft, paying at least $22 million across multiple countries including Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and West Germany.^[7] These payments, often disguised as commissions to intermediaries, targeted contracts for models such as the F-104 Starfighter and L-1011 TriStar, amid the company's severe financial distress from development cost overruns exceeding $1 billion.^[110] In Japan, Lockheed funneled over $12 million to politicians and intermediaries, including $1.7 million to Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka via fixer Yoshio Kodama, to influence All Nippon Airways' purchase of TriStar jets; Tanaka was arrested in 1976, convicted of bribery in 1983, and sentenced to four years in prison (though he died before serving it due to ongoing appeals).^[110]^[111] The scandals, exposed by a U.S. Senate subcommittee investigation starting in February 1976, triggered international political fallout, including the resignation of Dutch Prime Minister Piet de Jong and convictions in Italy and West Germany, while contributing to the suicide of a Lockheed executive and an assassination attempt on Kodama.^[7] Lockheed's admissions, led by executive A. Carl Kotchian, revealed systematic use of slush funds and offshore accounts to evade U.S. disclosure laws, prompting Congress to enact the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in 1977, which criminalized such overseas bribery by U.S. firms and mandated accurate books and records.^[111]^[110] Despite the bailout of $250 million in U.S. government loan guarantees (equivalent to about $2 billion today) to avert bankruptcy, the episode highlighted ethical failures in prioritizing short-term survival over legal compliance, with internal deliberations showing executives weighing bribes as a "necessity" against competitors' practices.^[7] Following the 1995 merger forming Lockheed Martin, the company faced FCPA enforcement for legacy and new conduct, including a $24.8 million fine in 1995 after pleading guilty to conspiracy involving $1.2 million in unlawful payments to Egyptian officials for C-130 Hercules sales dating to the 1980s.^[110] In a related case, an Egyptian agent for Lockheed Martin pleaded guilty in 2020 to FCPA violations for facilitating bribes in the same program, receiving an 18-month prison sentence and $30,000 fine, underscoring persistent issues with third-party agents despite post-merger compliance reforms.^[112] These incidents reflect ongoing ethical lapses in oversight of international representatives, though no major corporate-level convictions have occurred since, with Lockheed Martin emphasizing zero-tolerance policies and internal reporting mechanisms in response.^[8]

Technical Failures and Safety Issues

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, introduced in the late 1950s, exhibited a notably high accident rate during its operational history, particularly in European air forces. In West German service from 1960 to 1987, 292 of 916 F-104s were lost to accidents, resulting in 116 pilot fatalities, with over 50% of incidents attributed to technology and environmental factors, including engine malfunctions of the General Electric J79.^[113] This led to its nickname "Widowmaker" in Germany, where annual crash rates reached 15-20 aircraft between 1968 and 1972 before tapering to about 10 per year.^[114] Overall, the type recorded 1,169 incidents and 445 fatalities across global operations, stemming from its high-speed design limitations, such as short wings prone to stalls at low speeds and sensitivity to bird strikes. The F-35 Lightning II program has faced persistent technical challenges and safety incidents since entering service. Between 2018 and 2025, at least 11 F-35 aircraft crashed, primarily in U.S. operations, amid ongoing reliability and maintainability issues including software glitches, engine anomalies, and structural vulnerabilities.^[115] A January 28, 2025, crash of an F-35A at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, destroyed a $196 million jet when ice formed in the hydraulic lines of the nose and main landing gears due to water-contaminated fluid, preventing proper retraction and triggering an automated ground mode error; the pilot ejected after a 50-minute airborne consultation with Lockheed Martin engineers.^[116]^[117] Earlier testing revealed problems like premature cracking in F-35B airframes and unreliable arrestor hooks on F-35C variants, contributing to mission capability rates below 50% in some periods.^[118] The Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, in service since 1962, has recorded 56 hull-loss accidents, often linked to operational stresses in low-level anti-submarine missions rather than inherent design flaws.^[119] Derived from the L-188 Electra, which suffered early fatigue failures, the P-3 incorporated structural reinforcements, yet incidents persisted, including a 1991 Australian crash due to wing leading edge failure during a high-g maneuver, attributed to undetected corrosion and overload.^[120] Aging fleets have prompted groundings, such as in 2010 for wing-box cracks, leading to early retirements of affected airframes.^[121] The L-1011 TriStar widebody airliner, certified in 1970, encountered development hurdles including Rolls-Royce RB211 engine delays and reliability issues that postponed deliveries and inflated costs, though it achieved a generally safe operational record with fewer than 10 fatal accidents across 250 units produced.^[122] Technical complexities, such as its advanced autoland system, were innovative but contributed to higher maintenance demands without corresponding safety lapses.^[123]

Labor and Environmental Disputes

In May 2025, over 900 members of United Auto Workers Locals 788 and 766 in Orlando, Florida, and Littleton, Colorado (near Denver), initiated a strike against Lockheed Martin, citing unfair labor practices, inadequate starting salaries, insufficient pay scales and raises, and inferior retirement benefits despite the company's reporting of $1.7 billion in first-quarter profits.^[124]^[125] The union contended that more than 80% of affected workers would remain under an extended pay progression system deemed inequitable, following failed negotiations.^[126] This action contributed to broader labor unrest in the defense sector, highlighting tensions over compensation amid rising defense demands.^[127] Historically, Lockheed Martin has faced union strikes over benefits and pensions, including a 2012 work stoppage involving approximately 3,600 International Association of Machinists members at facilities producing F-35 components, where workers rejected proposed shifts from traditional pensions to defined-contribution plans and changes to healthcare coverage, leading to a prolonged dispute resolved after concessions on retiree benefits.^[128]^[129] The National Labor Relations Board has handled multiple unfair labor practice charges against the company, including cases in 2025 alleging violations during union organizing efforts.^[130]^[131] On the environmental front, Lockheed Martin has been embroiled in disputes over legacy contamination at multiple sites, particularly from solvent and chemical use in aircraft and rocket production. At its former Burbank, California facility—once a hub for Skunk Works projects—decades of operations released trichloroethylene (TCE) and other volatile organic compounds into soil and groundwater, prompting lawsuits from over 1,300 residents between 1986 and 1992 alleging health impacts; the company settled remaining claims in 2002 for $1.25 million while conducting EPA-mandated remediation.^[132]^[133] Similarly, at rocket production sites like those in Utah and California, solid-fuel manufacturing contaminated groundwater with perchlorate and other propellants, leading to Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) litigation where Lockheed contested U.S. government liability shares, with courts in 2016 affirming partial company responsibility for migration of pollutants miles from sites.^[134]^[135] In Florida, ongoing disputes center on the Orlando facility, where 2020 lawsuits accused Lockheed of mishandling toxins like TCE and 1,4-dioxane, detecting concentrations in groundwater up to 386,000 times EPA limits and alleging an "environmental nightmare" from unlined lagoons and spills since the 1960s, with claims of resident illnesses including cancers.^[136]^[137] A related 2021 class-action suit targeted soil and water tainting at the site, while a separate breach of environmental agreement at a beryllium plant resulted in a jury awarding $3 million in additional costs for spill remediation.^[138]^[139] In 2016, the company paid $5 million to settle Resource Conservation and Recovery Act violations tied to hazardous waste mismanagement across operations.^[140] These cases often involve debates over successor liability for pre-merger activities, with Lockheed funding extensive cleanups under regulatory oversight but contesting causation and damages in court.^[141]

Economic and Strategic Impact

Contributions to National Defense

Lockheed Martin plays a central role in U.S. national defense as the prime contractor for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, the Department of Defense's largest acquisition program, which equips the military with a family of single-seat, single-engine, supersonic stealth aircraft designed for air superiority, strike missions, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering.^[142] The F-35's sensor fusion and networked data-sharing capabilities enable it to act as a force multiplier, integrating information from offboard sources to enhance joint all-domain operations and penetrate advanced anti-access/area-denial environments.^[143] In operational deployments as of October 2025, F-35 squadrons have achieved mission-capable rates exceeding expectations, including a U.S. Marine Corps unit accumulating nearly 5,000 flight hours over five months with minimal sustainment disruptions.^[144] The U.S. Department of Defense finalized a production contract with Lockheed Martin on September 30, 2025, for nearly 300 additional F-35s, underscoring its ongoing centrality to air combat modernization.^[145] The company's Missiles and Fire Control division advances integrated air and missile defense through systems like the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), which provide layered protection against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles and aircraft.^[146] PAC-3 MSE interceptors have demonstrated combat effectiveness in defending against rocket, artillery, and mortar threats, while THAAD offers exo-atmospheric kinetic intercepts to safeguard populations and critical assets.^[147] These capabilities contribute to a "Golden Dome" layered defense framework, enabling synchronized threat detection, tracking, and engagement across flight phases via 360-degree sensors and command-and-control networks.^[148] Lockheed Martin's precision-guided munitions, such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, further extend standoff strike options, reducing risk to aircrews while maintaining overmatch against peer adversaries.^[149] In the space domain, Lockheed Martin supports strategic deterrence and missile warning through end-to-end systems, including the Next Generation Interceptor for ground-based midcourse defense, designed to counter evolving intercontinental ballistic missile threats with improved reliability and discrimination.^[150] The company also develops non-kinetic and kinetic solutions for hypersonic defense, protecting deployed forces and the homeland from high-speed, maneuverable weapons.^[150] Space-based assets under Lockheed Martin, such as evolved strategic satellite communications and orbital sensors, facilitate global command-and-control, early threat detection, and data fusion critical for maintaining domain superiority amid rising contested-space challenges.^[151] These contributions collectively bolster U.S. deterrence posture by integrating air, missile, and space architectures into a cohesive shield against ballistic, hypersonic, and aerial incursions.^[146]

Technological Innovations and Spin-Offs

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works division, established in 1943, has developed groundbreaking aerospace technologies, including the XP-80 Shooting Star, the United States' first operational jet fighter delivered in 1944, which accelerated the transition to jet propulsion in military aviation.^[152] Subsequent innovations encompassed the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, first flown in 1955, capable of operating above 70,000 feet for strategic intelligence gathering.^[107] The SR-71 Blackbird, introduced in 1966, achieved sustained speeds exceeding Mach 3 and incorporated advanced titanium alloys and heat-resistant materials to withstand extreme aerodynamic heating, setting records that remain unbroken in manned aviation.^[107] Stealth technology emerged from Skunk Works' Have Blue demonstrator program in the late 1970s, leading to the F-117 Nighthawk's operational deployment in 1983, which employed faceted airframes and radar-absorbent coatings to achieve a radar cross-section comparable to a small bird, fundamentally altering aerial combat tactics by evading detection.^[152] This was followed by fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 Raptor, achieving initial operating capability in 2005 with supercruise and integrated avionics, and the F-35 Lightning II, entering service in 2015 with sensor fusion enabling real-time data sharing across platforms.^[153] In space systems, Lockheed Martin serves as prime contractor for NASA's Orion spacecraft, with the first crewed flight targeted for 2026, featuring abort systems and life support derived from military-grade reliability testing.^[153] Technological spin-offs from these military developments have extended to civilian applications, enhancing commercial sectors. Digital fly-by-wire controls, pioneered in the F-16 Fighting Falcon in the 1970s, provided precise maneuverability without mechanical linkages and influenced civil aircraft designs, including Airbus and Boeing models that adopted electronic flight controls for improved stability and fuel efficiency.^[107] The LM-100J, a commercial derivative of the C-130J Super Hercules military transport introduced in 2017, supports oversized cargo delivery to remote areas for mining and humanitarian operations, leveraging proven turboprop durability.^[154] In cybersecurity, the Cyber Kill Chain framework, formulated by Lockheed Martin analysts in 2011, models adversary attack lifecycles and has been adapted for protecting civilian infrastructure in finance and utilities against persistent threats.^[155] Space technologies developed for defense have bolstered civilian navigation and monitoring; as prime contractor for GPS III satellites launched starting in 2018, Lockheed Martin enhanced signal accuracy to within centimeters, benefiting global positioning in aviation, agriculture, and financial timing systems.^[153] Weather satellites in the GOES-R series, operational since 2016, incorporate infrared sensors originally refined for missile tracking, providing real-time data for disaster prediction and aviation safety.^[155] Advanced materials from high-speed programs, such as composites and alloys tested in hypersonic vehicles, inform civilian efforts like the X-59 QueSST quiet supersonic demonstrator, aimed at reducing sonic booms for potential overland commercial flights by 2025.^[156] These adaptations demonstrate causal transfer from defense imperatives—prioritizing performance under constraints—to broader economic utilities, though commercialization often requires declassification and scaling.^[107]

Criticisms of Military-Industrial Influence

Lockheed Martin has faced criticism for exerting significant influence over U.S. military policy and budgeting through substantial lobbying expenditures and political contributions, which critics argue perpetuate the military-industrial complex warned against by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his 1961 farewell address. In 2023, the company spent over $14 million on federal lobbying, primarily targeting defense appropriations and procurement policies.^[157] Its political action committee contributed approximately $1.57 million to federal candidates in the 2023-2024 election cycle, with donations distributed across both parties but concentrated among members of key committees overseeing defense spending, such as the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.^[158] Detractors, including watchdog groups, contend that such financial involvement creates incentives for lawmakers to prioritize contractor interests over fiscal restraint or strategic necessity, leading to sustained funding for programs regardless of performance issues.^[159] A prominent mechanism of this influence is the revolving door between government service and Lockheed Martin employment, where former officials leverage insider knowledge to advocate for the company's contracts. In 2023, 73% of Lockheed's lobbyists were "revolving door" personnel who had previously held government positions, with 48 out of 65 lobbyists fitting this profile.^[157] ^[160] Between 2019 and 2021, Lockheed hired at least 44 former Pentagon officials, including high-ranking acquisition and procurement experts.^[161] Critics from organizations like the Project On Government Oversight argue this practice fosters regulatory capture, where ex-officials secure favorable contract terms or block competition, as evidenced by the company's dominance in major programs despite alternatives.^[161] Such dynamics are said to undermine objective decision-making, with broader analyses indicating over 500 former government officials lobbying for top defense firms like Lockheed by 2021.^[162] The F-35 Lightning II program exemplifies these concerns, with Lockheed's lobbying credited by opponents for shielding it from cancellation amid chronic cost overruns and delays. Originally budgeted at $233 billion for development and procurement through 2021, lifetime costs have ballooned to over $2 trillion, including sustainment, due to technical glitches, software integration failures, and an 80% increase in unit flyaway costs since inception.^[163] ^[164] As Congress considered cuts in 2021, lawmakers receiving Lockheed PAC support actively opposed reductions, ensuring continued appropriations despite Government Accountability Office reports highlighting persistent underdelivery on promises.^[164] ^[165] This pattern, critics assert, illustrates how contractor influence sustains inefficient systems, diverting resources from innovation or readiness to profit motives, with the program's upgrades alone facing years of delays and overruns as of 2025.^[166] Further scrutiny arises from Lockheed's contributions timed to pivotal debates, such as over $250,000 donated to 147 politicians amid 2022 discussions on $40 billion in Ukraine aid, which boosted demand for Lockheed munitions like Javelin missiles.^[167] While proponents view this as legitimate advocacy for national security, skeptics, drawing on Eisenhower's caution against "unwarranted influence," warn it erodes public accountability, entrenching a cycle where defense budgets—nearing $900 billion annually—prioritize entrenched suppliers over cost-effective alternatives or diplomatic solutions.^[168] These practices, substantiated by federal disclosures, fuel arguments that Lockheed's role amplifies systemic pressures for perpetual conflict preparation, potentially at the expense of broader fiscal and strategic priorities.^[169]

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C-130 Factory: How Iconic Hercules Airlifters Are Born - The War Zone
Jul 24, 2024 · Lockheed started building C-130s in Marietta, Georgia, in 1954, and production of the C-130J Super Hercules variant continues to this day.<|separator|>
[73]
A look back...Lockheed C-141 STARLIFTER - Air Mobility Command
Oct 19, 2021 · The C-141A was the first jet transport from which US Army paratroopers jumped, and the first to land in the Antarctic. It also established the world record for ...
[74]
C-141B Starlifter - March Field Air Museum
The C-141B Starlifter was the Air Force's first jet-powered, heavy-lift cargo aircraft, capable of delivering 60,000 pounds of cargo 3,500 miles. It was used ...
[75]
C-5M Super Galaxy > Air Force > Fact Sheet Display - AF.mil
The C-5M Super Galaxy is a strategic transport aircraft and is the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory. Its primary mission is to transport cargo and ...
[76]
C-5 A/B/C Galaxy and C-5M Super Galaxy > Air Force > Fact Sheet ...
The C-5M is a modernized version of the legacy C-5 designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Currently the U.S. Air Force owns and operates 52 C-5B/C/M.Missing: overruns | Show results with:overruns
[77]
[PDF] Chronological History of the C-5 Galaxy - Air Mobility Command
From its maiden flight on 30 June 1968 until the early 1980s, the C-5 Galaxy, manufactured by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, held the distinction of being.
[78]
The Evolution of the Commercial Airliner
Sleek, powerful, and graceful, TWA's Lockheed Constellations introduced pressurized comfort and shortened transcontinental travel by an astounding five hours.
[79]
5 Lockheed Martin Aircraft That Have Defined The History Of Military ...
Mar 1, 2024 · 1 Lockheed Martin C-5 · 2 Lockheed Martin F-22 · 3 Lockheed Martin U-2 · 4 Lockheed Martin F-35 · 5 Lockheed Martin SR-71.
[80]
Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed L-188 Electra
Dec 6, 2024 · The new design was to have a faster cruising speed, greater comfort, and be profitable enough to fly both short-haul and long-haul routes ...
[81]
Lockheed L-188 Electra - Price, Specs, Photo Gallery, History
In 1954, the L-188 Electra was developed to meet the need of American Airlines for a domestic aircraft with a short to medium range that can transport from 75 ...
[82]
Aviation's Most Controversial Airliner - Key Aero
Jan 9, 2019 · The Lockheed L-188 Electra was revolutionary for its time. The turboprop made its maiden flight on December 6, 1957, several weeks ahead of the jetpowered ...
[83]
Lockheed L-188 - Aircraft Engine Historical Society
Sep 1, 2023 · The T56 reduction gear ratio was 12.5:1 whereas the 501-D13 commercial engine used 13.54:1, thus giving a 1,020 takeoff propeller rpm and a 992 ...
[84]
L-1011: Luxury Among the Clouds | Lockheed Martin
Oct 1, 2020 · The L-1011 fleet had a remarkable in-service rate that reached 98.1 percent reliability. But the financial troubles proved too much to overcome.Missing: details sales
[85]
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar: Inside The Most Advanced Widebody Of ...
Sep 17, 2025 · The aircraft was first delivered in 1972 to Eastern Airlines and Trans World Airlines, but the aircraft's sales never matched those of its ...
[86]
The Last Two Operational Lockheed L-1011 TriStars Spend Their ...
Apr 6, 2023 · The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was a technological leap forward, but its manufacturer sold only half it needed for the plane to be profitable.
[87]
Requiem For a Trijet Masterpiece – The Lockheed L-1011
Sep 30, 2015 · The DC-10 had a maximum certified passenger capacity of 380 passengers, whereas the L-1011 TriStar was capable of seating up to 400.
[88]
A Brief History of U.S. Navy Fleet Ballistic Missiles and Submarines
Jun 24, 2024 · Under Raborn's direction, the Navy developed the Polaris missile and designed the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, George ...
[89]
The Long View: Fleet Ballistic Missiles | Lockheed Martin
Oct 1, 2020 · The advent of the Fleet Ballistic Missile program introduced a profound strategic counterbalance that helped keep the Cold War from heating up.
[90]
A Historical Overview of a Half Century of U.S. Missile Development
Nov 2, 2019 · The Polaris SLBM was replaced by Poseidon, which had higher firepower, using multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Poseidon was ...
[91]
Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic
The D-5 is the latest in a line of fleet ballistic missiles, which began with the Polaris A-1 in 1960. The D-5 has a greater range, payload, and accuracy than ...
[92]
Lockheed RM-81 Agena - Designation-Systems.Net
Aug 19, 2025 · The Agena space vehicle was used in large numbers during the 1960s and 1970s as upper stage with SLV-2 Thor, SLV-3 Atlas and SLV-5 Titan ...
[93]
Second Stage Needed to Reach Deeper Space
First launched in 1960, Agena was an expendable upper-stage launch system (ELS) developed by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Agena sat atop an Atlas D lower ...
[94]
Upper Stage, Launch Vehicle, Agena-B
This is the Agena-B upper stage used during the 1960s as an orbital injection vehicle for Midas and other satellites. It was also an intermediate stage ...Missing: missions | Show results with:missions<|separator|>
[95]
An historical timeline of the Lockheed Martin plant in Salina (photos)
Sep 26, 2019 · The company will be Lockheed Martin Corp. June 1995: Lockheed Martin designates its Ocean, Radar & Sensor Systems division at Electronics Park ...
[96]
The Secret History of Silicon Valley Part 13: Lockheed-the Startup ...
Jan 7, 2010 · Between 1960 and 1971, Lockheed built three versions of the Polaris missile: with each successive version increasing its range and accuracy.
[97]
Burbank, California - Lockheed Martin
At a former aircraft-manufacturing complex that operated for more than 60 years, Lockheed Martin works closely with the City of Burbank and U.S. Environmental ...Missing: major Palmdale Sunnyvale
[98]
Lockheed Corporation, Burbank, California - Industrial Los Angeles
For over 60 years, Lockheed produced airplanes, missiles and satellites in Burbank. Built on a tract of land surrounded by orange groves and farmland.
[99]
Palmdale, CA | Lockheed Martin
Palmdale, California boasts a rich heritage and is home to many of the aircraft used in the United States military.Missing: Burbank Sunnyvale
[100]
Classic Austin Approach to Designing and Constructing Classified ...
Jul 20, 2016 · In Palmdale alone, The Austin Company has completed projects for Lockheed Martin including more than 500,000 square feet, supporting aircraft ...
[101]
Lockheed Martin - New Georgia Encyclopedia
Nov 3, 2006 · Lockheed and the C-130 The Lockheed Corporation traces its origins to 1913, when Allan and Malcolm Loughead (pronounced lock-heed) successfully ...<|separator|>
[102]
Sunnyvale, CA - Lockheed Martin
Our Sunnyvale campus is where teams engineer next-gen interceptors, hypersonic systems, fleet ballistic missiles, and satellite payloads.Missing: Burbank Palmdale
[103]
[PDF] lockheed martin space systems company, plant one
Mar 14, 2016 · Early significant programs 1960s-1980s. Through the 1970s and 80s, Lockheed continued to develop multiple generations of submarine - launched ...
[104]
Lockheed Missiles and Space Company - (California History)
Lockheed Missiles and Space Company was established in 1956 as a response to the growing demands of military defense and space exploration during the Cold War.
[105]
Lockheed Martin Corporation | Aerospace & Defense Giant
Oct 15, 2025 · It was formed in 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta Corporation, the second and third largest American defense ...
[106]
Lockheed Corp | Encyclopedia.com
May 29, 2018 · Under Tellep's stewardship, Lockheed initiated a diversification program to wean the company away from its overwhelming dependence on ...
[107]
80 Years of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® Innovation
Jun 26, 2023 · The Skunk Works team developed two X-35 prototypes – the X-35A and larger-winged X-35C. These aircraft would build on the F-22 Raptor's stealth ...
[108]
[PDF] The Skunk Works ® manager must be delegated practically
The Skunk Works ® manager must be delegated practically complete control of his program in all aspects. He should report to a division president or higher.
[109]
Lockheed Skunk Works Story - 80 Years of Innovation
Jan 4, 2024 · This vaulted the Lockheed Corporation into war production, proliferated a rapid expansion of their capabilities, and asserted the need for a ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[110]
Lockheed Is Implicated in Bribing Foreign Officials | Research Starters
The Lockheed bribery scandal, which came to light in the mid-1970s, involved the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation allegedly paying bribes to Japanese government ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[111]
ANNALS OF CRIME - THE LOCKHEED INCIDENT
CARL KOTCHIAN, REVEALING THAT OVER $12 MILLION IN BRIBES AND UNLAWFUL COMMISSIONS WERE PAID TO JAPANESE OFFICIALS IN THE EARLY 1970'S. SPECIFIC EVENTS INCLUDED ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[112]
Lockheed's Egyptian Agent and the C-130 - Corruption Tracker
Oct 24, 2020 · Pleaded guilty to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, two years of unsupervised release, and a USD ...Missing: scandal | Show results with:scandal
[113]
[PDF] An HFACS Analysis of German F-104 Starfighter Accidents
292 of 916 German F-104s crashed, with 116 pilot deaths. Over 50% of accidents were due to technology/environment, engine issues, and the J-79 engine was a ...
[114]
Did you know the F-104 had not been the only “Widow Maker ...
Between 15 and 20 German 104s crashed every year between 1968 and 1972 and continued at a rate of about 10 F-104s per year until it was replaced.
[115]
TIMELINE - F-35 fighter jets: 11 crashes in 7 years raise alarm over ...
Jan 29, 2025 · Facing reliability, maintainability challenges, 11 F-35 Lockheed Martin fighter jets crashed since 2018, mainly in US, according to data ...
[116]
Aircraft Accident Investigation Report Released for Eielson F-35 Crash
Aug 25, 2025 · The investigation determined the aircraft's nose landing gear did not retract properly due to hydraulic fluid contaminated with water freezing.
[117]
F-35 Pilot Was on Phone for Nearly an Hour with Engineers Before ...
Aug 27, 2025 · An Air Force F-35 pilot was on the phone midair with Lockheed Martin engineers for nearly an hour attempting to resolve a landing gear issue ...<|separator|>
[118]
F-35 pilot held 50-minute airborne conference call with engineers ...
Aug 27, 2025 · The report notes Lockheed Martin had issued guidance on the problem the F-35's sensors had in extreme cold weather in a maintenance newsletter ...
[119]
Lockheed P-3 Orion - Aviation Safety Network
General » Specs. Accident database » all 56 hull-loss occurrences » all 58 occurrences in the ASN database » all 6 occurrences in the ASN Wikibase.
[120]
[PDF] The Static Testing of a Lockheed P-3 Orion Wing Leading ... - DTIC
The test clearly showed that the structure meets its design specifications and had an adequate margin of safety even for the high speed regime. However, it is.<|control11|><|separator|>
[121]
Recovery progress underway for Navy P-3Cs - NAVAIR
Following the initial grounding, three of the affected aircraft were retired from service early. The P-3C Orion will be replaced by the P-8A Poseidon - an ...
[122]
Why In The World Did The Lockheed L-1011 Fail? - Simple Flying
Sep 10, 2025 · Engine problems were one of the most significant factors that hurt the commercial success of the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. Lockheed only chose ...Missing: losses | Show results with:losses
[123]
TriStar, a misunderstood failure of design - Design World
Apr 12, 2022 · The TriStar program had almost bankrupted Lockheed and caused it to again exit the commercial aircraft business and focus solely on military ...
[124]
UAW Members Strike at Lockheed Martin, as Company Announces ...
May 1, 2025 · Over 900 UAW members in Orlando, FL (Local 788) and Denver, CO (Local 766) have walked out on strike at Lockheed Martin, after the company committed multiple ...
[125]
Orlando Lockheed Martin workers strike over pay, labor practices
May 1, 2025 · The union alleges unfair labor practices by Lockheed Martin, as well as disagreements over starting salary, pay scale and raises, and ...
[126]
Lockheed Martin employees strike, claim unfair labor practices as ...
May 1, 2025 · Lockheed Martin employees went on strike Thursday from the Littleton facility, rallying at Chatfield State Park to share their grievances.Missing: disputes | Show results with:disputes
[127]
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/10/27/lockheed-martin-strike-orlando-weapons-missiles-00514386
[128]
Lockheed F-35 workers ready for long strike, union says | Reuters
Apr 24, 2012 · Unionized workers on strike against Lockheed Martin Corp <LMT.N> over healthcare benefits and pensions are prepared for a long work stoppage ...Missing: labor | Show results with:labor
[129]
Profiles of significant collective bargaining disputes of 2012
The 3,600 union members went on strike over proposed changes in health benefits and a Lockheed Martin plan to stop offering a traditional pension to newly hired ...
[130]
Lockheed Martin Corporation | National Labor Relations Board
Apr 10, 2025 · Unfair Labor Practice Litigation · Appellate Court Litigation ... Union United Automobile Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of ...Missing: disputes | Show results with:disputes
[131]
LOCKHEED MARTIN | National Labor Relations Board
Jan 29, 2025 · Unfair Labor Practice Litigation · Appellate Court Litigation ... Union International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers ...
[132]
In Re Burbank Environmental Litigation, 42 F. Supp. 2d 976 (C.D. ...
Employees filed lawsuits against Lockheed between 1986 and 1992 based on the use of chemicals at the site, and 1300 Burbank residents hired lawyers to assert ...
[133]
Lockheed to Settle the Final Claims Over Toxins - Los Angeles Times
Apr 17, 2002 · Lockheed Martin Corp. has agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle all outstanding claims by residents who contend that they were sickened by decades of chemical ...
[134]
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Appellee v. United States of America ...
Lockheed sued the United States under the Contract Disputes Act and, in September 2000, the parties entered into the Discontinued Operations Settlement ...
[135]
Lockheed Martin Corp. v. United States, No. 14-5302 (D.C. Cir. 2016)
Aug 19, 2016 · In this appeal, the United States challenges its liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ...
[136]
Lockheed Martin facility mishandled toxins, lawsuit says
Sep 28, 2020 · The lawsuit alleges two contaminants were detected in groundwater underneath the Lockheed Martin facility in concentrations as high as 386,000 ...
[137]
Lockheed Martin 'mishandled toxins', causing illness: US lawsuits
Sep 29, 2020 · Two lawsuits filed on Monday alleged that US-based weapons company Lockheed Martin has mishandled toxins at a Florida facility for decades.
[138]
Lockheed Martin Sued for Tainting Ground Soil and Water
Rating 4.8 (59) Feb 25, 2021 · A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Lockheed Martin's Orlando facility after residents claim that the company mishandled dangerous chemicals.<|control11|><|separator|>
[139]
Florida Contamination to Cost Lockheed $3M More
Lockheed Martin should pay $3 million for breaching an environmental agreement stemming from a spill at its beryllium plant in Florida, a jury found.
[140]
Lockheed Martin Agrees to Pay $5 Million to Settle Alleged ...
Feb 29, 2016 · Lockheed Martin have agreed to pay the United States $5 million to resolve allegations that they violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).Missing: pollution | Show results with:pollution<|separator|>
[141]
[PDF] Case 1:08-cv-01160-ESH Document 151 Filed 04/24/14 Page 1 of 108
Lockheed Martin Corporation brings this action against the United States under the. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“ ...
[142]
F-35 Lightning II: Background and Issues for Congress
Dec 11, 2024 · The F-35 is a strike fighter, DOD's largest program, with three versions. Issues include high sustainment costs, engine upgrades, and supply ...
[143]
F-35 Lightning II | Lockheed Martin
More than a fighter jet, the F-35 is a force multiplier. Its unmatched ability to gather, process, and share data empowers joint forces, strengthens global ...
[144]
https://www.businessinsider.com/marines-f35-fighters-flew-5000-hours-without-problems-2025-10
[145]
US DoD, Lockheed Martin finalise contract for nearly 300 F-35s
Sep 30, 2025 · The US Department of Defense (DoD) and Lockheed Martin have finalised a production agreement covering nearly 300 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike
[146]
Integrated Air and Missile Defense - Lockheed Martin
Our proven, integrated air and missile defense systems provide the most advanced 360-degree sensors, command and control networks, multi-mission interceptors.
[147]
Missiles and Fire Control | Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) division excels in designing advanced missiles and fire control systems for global militaries.Advancing Joint All-Domain... · How Lockheed Martin Is... · Lockheed Martin's Pac-3 Mse...
[148]
Golden Dome for America - Lockheed Martin
This operationally-proven, layered missile defense system allows commanders to make synchronized decisions about threats at any range, in any phase of flight, ...Next Generation Interceptor · Thaad · C2BMC · PAC-3
[149]
A Closer Look At Lockheed Martin's Key Military Programs - Forbes
Nov 25, 2020 · Notably, the F-35 program accounts for 4.5% of the Department of Defense total program acquisition cost and is the biggest revenue contributor ...
[150]
Strategic and Missile Defense Systems | Lockheed Martin
Delivers defense system designs, products and services (kinetic and non-kinetic) to protect homeland, deployed forces and allies from ballistic and hypersonic ...Partnering With Those Who... · Fleet Ballistic Missile · Hypersonic Strike Weapon...
[151]
Layered Defense, Orbital Advantage | Lockheed Martin
Sep 23, 2025 · Space-based sensors are foundational to command and control, delivering the early detection and global reach needed to fuse data, accelerate ...
[152]
Skunk Works® | Lockheed Martin
TIQUILA is a complete Intelligence, Surveillance, Tracking And Reconnaissance (ISTAR) programme utilising small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS). ... Lockheed ...
[153]
What We Do | Lockheed Martin
Discover Lockheed Martin's military aircraft leadership in combat, air mobility, and reconnaissance. Advanced technology for unmatched capabilities. Learn More.Missing: developments | Show results with:developments
[154]
Commercial Aircraft | Lockheed Martin
The S-76® fleet of more than 850 aircraft has amassed over seven million flight hours, while continuing its legacy of safety and reliability which began in 1977 ...
[155]
The Civilian Side of Lockheed Martin Technologies Across 5 Key ...
Jul 7, 2025 · The Unseen Impact: Lockheed Martin's Civilian Frontier · 1. Air: Redefining Civilian Aviation · 2. Cyber: Fortifying Our Digital World · 3. Land: ...
[156]
2024: A Year of Innovation | Lockheed Martin
Dec 17, 2024 · The design is the first in a series of large, next-generation VTOL aircraft, ranging from more traditional helicopters to winged configurations.
[157]
Lockheed Martin - SEC.gov
... lobbying efforts are aligned with its human rights commitments. In 2023, Lockheed spent over $14 million on lobbying expenditures.5 This statistic offers ...
[158]
Lockheed Martin PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates ...
Lockheed Martin gave $1568000 to federal candidates in the 2023-2024 election cycle. See the details.
[159]
Lockheed Martin Profile: Summary - OpenSecrets
Lockheed Martin organization profile. Contributions in the 2024 cycle: $5575853. Lobbying in 2024: $12669164. Outside Spending in the 2024 cycle: $0.
[160]
Lockheed Martin Profile: Summary - OpenSecrets
Lockheed Martin organization profile. Contributions since 1990: $5575853. Lobbying since 1998: $12669164. Outside Spending: $0.
[161]
The Pentagon's Revolving Door Keeps Spinning: 2021 in Review
Jan 20, 2022 · Lockheed Martin alone hired a staggering 44 former Pentagon officials that POGO has been able to identify over the past three years.
[162]
Over 500 Former Government Officials Are Now Lobbying ... - Truthout
May 6, 2023 · In 2021, there were at least 672 former government officials working for top defense contractors like Lockheed Martin. By: Sharon Zhang ,: T ...<|separator|>
[163]
The F-35 Will Now Exceed $2 Trillion As the Military Plans to Fly It ...
May 16, 2024 · The F-35 program estimates that its initiatives have reduced sustainment costs by about $84 billion over the lifetime of the program.
[164]
Lockheed-Backed Reps Lobby Against F-35 Spending Cuts
May 13, 2021 · The cost of the F-35 program has nearly doubled to well over $428 billion since its initial estimate of $233 billion in 2001.
[165]
F-35 Program Plagued by Cost, Delivery Overruns, GAO Says
Sep 3, 2025 · The Defense Department's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has continued to over promise and under deliver in recent years, plagued by ...Missing: lobbying | Show results with:lobbying
[166]
USAF won't resume full F-35 buys until Lockheed wrings problems ...
Jul 23, 2025 · Lockheed has run into problems integrating new software and hardware for the upgrade, resulting in years of schedule and cost overruns.<|control11|><|separator|>
[167]
Lockheed Martin Gave Over $250k to Politicians as They Discussed ...
May 23, 2022 · The 147 donations came as Congress was debating a package for roughly $40 billion of aid to Ukraine.<|separator|>
[168]
The Military-Industrial Complex Has Never Been Worse - Jacobin
How bad has the military-industrial complex gotten? The arms industry donates tens of millions of dollars every election cycle, and the average taxpayer ...
[169]
Lockheed Martin Profile: Totals - OpenSecrets
The numbers on this page are based on contributions of $200 or more from PACs and individuals to federal candidates and from PAC, individual and soft money ...