Ben R. Rich and Leo Janos: Skunk Works (1994)

Ben R. Rich worked in Lockheed’s secret projects division, the Skunk Works, for nearly forty years in total, leading it for about fifteen years. During his career, Rich participated in the development of the top-secret U-2 and SR-71 spy planes, as well as the F-117A stealth fighter, all of which are prominently featured in this book. 📚 The book is also, in its own way, a tribute to Rich’s predecessor, Kelly Johnson, under whom Rich worked for years before being chosen as his successor. Johnson was an aviation genius who could intuitively evaluate the characteristics of aircraft with astonishing accuracy. He was also clearly the Steve Jobs of his time, micromanaging when necessary and giving his subordinates a piece of his mind if work was done lazily. The book is full of delightful anecdotes and interludes from various parties, such as CIA and Air Force pilots who operated Skunk Works equipment. In the movie Top Gun, Maverick gives a MiG pilot the middle finger from close range, but…