Lockheed

Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace manufacturer founded in 1926 that merged with Martin Marietta in 1995 to form Lockheed Martin, one of the world's largest defence contractors. Its Advanced Development Programs unit, known as the Skunk Works, founded in 1943 by Kelly Johnson, produced some of the most classified and technologically advanced aircraft in US history, including the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk, and F-22 Raptor.

UAP-Related Significance

Lockheed appears in UAP discussions for several reasons. First, as the manufacturer of several highly advanced classified aircraft, many historical UFO sightings of delta-shaped or unusual high-altitude craft have been retrospectively attributed to Lockheed prototypes. Second, former Lockheed employees, including Don Phillips, have publicly stated that the company worked on recovered exotic materials under government contract. Third, Lockheed Martin is one of the major aerospace primes referenced by whistleblowers — notably David Grusch in 2023 — as allegedly involved in legacy UAP material-analysis programmes.

Corporate Continuation

As Lockheed Martin (post-1995), the company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and remains a primary US Department of Defense contractor. Its Skunk Works division continues to operate in Palmdale, California. The company has officially denied involvement in any illegal UAP programmes when asked by journalists and congressional staff.