View Full Version : Lockheed Skunk Works and Sikorsky Partner Up
SASless
20th Sep 2016, 11:51
This sounds interesting....the old Kelly Johnson Lockheed Skunk Works teaming up with Sikorsky Helicopters. Is that where the two Super Secret Blackhawks used in the Bin Laden Raid came from?
If only Nick Lappos could talk of this.
Sikorsky?s New Ace in the Hole: Lockheed?s Skunk Works - Defense One (http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2016/09/sikorskys-new-ace-hole-lockheeds-skunk-works/131666/)
The Sultan
20th Sep 2016, 17:29
Lockheed of today is not Kelly's Lockheed. Then it was fast, on budget, and beyond state of the art by a significant margin. Today's is years behind schedule, 100s of billion over budget, and delivering obsolete products. Today Kelly would be working for Northrop Grumman.
If Lockheed was good for Sikorsky they would not have cancelled the S-97 (as some have said).
The Sultan
Then it was fast, on budget, and beyond state of the art by a significant margin.
That sounds like the X2 program as executed at Schweizer! Where are you hearing LM cancelled S97?
SASless
20th Sep 2016, 22:22
When it comes to the Sultan...one is better off to consider the source and then ignore the comment!
Putting aside Sultan's comments, is there any fresh news on the S-97 flight testing? It has been seven months since any published reports of progress.
riff_raff
22nd Sep 2016, 03:59
L-M Skunk Works was doing work on the JMR/JHL program back in 2008 (http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/91707/lockheed,-karem-team-for-joint-heavy-lift-bid.html) .
I might agree a bit with Sultan about how things have likely changed at the Skunk Works over the past couple decades. I'm sure that Skunk Works is no longer the lean and efficient outfit it was when Kelly Johnson was in charge.
Sikorsky has its own "skunk works" called Sikorsky Innovations (http://www.sikorsky.com/Pages/Innovation.aspx) . Interesting though that the SB-1 composite airframe work was contracted out to Swift Engineering (http://www.swiftengineering.com/swift-joins-sikorsky-boeing-defiant-team), rather than building it in-house.
Sikorsky Innovations also outsourced the Raider fuselage:
http://www.sikorsky.com/pages/AboutSikorsky/PressreleaseDetails.aspx?pressreleaseid=60
The X2 was built in-house by the then newly acquired Schweizer Aircraft. Innovations came along in 2010 and put their stickers all over it!
blackdog7
23rd Sep 2016, 14:32
"super secret Blackhawk"? - you mean the wall art left behind.......
If you think Nick Lappos is the god of everything helicopter, then this forum is a great place for time well wasted.
Ban me again please.
SASless
23rd Sep 2016, 20:49
If Senior Pilot does not oblige your request he would be quite remiss in his duty as a a Moderator.
One thing for sure is I can take an action that will prevent any of your posts from ever appearing on my Screen.
Enjoy a very short Spanish lesson.....AMF!
"super secret Blackhawk"? - you mean the wall art left behind.......
If you think Nick Lappos is the god of everything helicopter, then this forum is a great place for time well wasted.
Ban me again please.
Senior Pilot
23rd Sep 2016, 21:38
Ban me again please.
OK, done.
Incidentally, Nick is now in hospital recovering from a massive cardiac arrest; I'm sure that all Rotorheads will join me in wishing him a full and speedy recovery :ok:
SASless
23rd Sep 2016, 22:27
Nick Lappos is one of the luckiest Men alive.
He must carry a Four Leaf Clover, Rabbits Foot, and a piece of Igor's Fedora in his pocket!
I am going to start calling him Lazarus Lappos!
Tragic as the news is about his Heart problem....I am very glad he is still with us and I along with many others wish him the best possible recovery as I like having him around to pick on.
A few Years back he and I were the guests of Flying Lawyer at a GAPAN Annual Dinner when Jim Lovell was the Honored Guest....and that Evening was very much one of the most memorable of my life.
Considering all the folks that were there.....I understand what a little boy tugging on Superman's Cape must feel like.