A skunkworks project is a project developed by a relatively small and loosely structured group of people who research and develop a project, often with a very large degree of autonomy, primarily for the sake of radical innovation. The term originated with Lockheed's World War II Skunk Works project.
The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works hangar in Palmdale, California
Skunk Works is an official pseudonym for Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs (ADP), formerly called Lockheed Advanced Development Projects. It is responsible for a number of aircraft designs, highly classified research and development programs, and exotic aircraft platforms. Known locations include United States Air Force Plant 42 and United States Air Force Plant 4, and Marietta, Georgia.
Entrance plaza at the Skunk Works in Palmdale, California
Assembly line of the SR-71 Blackbird at Skunk Works
A modern Skunk Works project leverages an older one: LASRE atop the SR-71 Blackbird.
The Skunk Works logo as seen on one of Lockheed Martin’s hangars.