"lockheed opens up about secret weapons unit" Topic

guys came across this other day
having problem copying full text and link (google lookheed opens up about secret weapons unit )Reuters story
further down in the story is mention of a aircraft going hypersonic, also compact portable nuclear fusion reactor
maybe just pr for journalists?
Dec 10 (Reuters) – Lockheed Martin Corp , the Pentagon's No. 1 weapons supplier, has rarely felt the need to blow its horn about its secrecy-shrouded crown jewel – until now.

"Skunk Works," Lockheed's business for developing weapons outside the company's main chain of command, is starting to lift the veil in a sign of fierce pressure to win new orders and protect its brand as military budgets shrink.

The pride of Lockheed, Skunk Works has been celebrated since it developed the first jet fighter in 143 days during World War Two to battle the Nazis. But its logo was kept off buildings and employees were barred from saying where they worked.

Now, the company has published a glossy brochure with a 10-point "Skunk Works 2015" agenda focused on keeping costs down, working closely with government, and building prototypes. Its officials are meeting in small groups with all 3,300 employees, or "Skunks" as they are known, to underscore the importance of staying competitive.

Saw the portable nuclear fusion reactor, but nothing new on it.

Ha, ha, ha!

ROFLMAO on that one. Thanks for the belly laugh.

"…..keeping costs down…..".

Yea right.

Perhaps internally, though you couldn't tell that by the massive cost over-runs they pass along to the government, and taxpayers.

They do produce nice aircraft though, excepting the F-35 Coot.

The pride of Lockheed, Skunk Works has been celebrated since it developed the first jet fighter in 143 days during World War Two

Which jet fighter would that be?
Only allied jet to see service before wars end was the Gloster Meteor, The first US jet was a Bell design, the P-59 Airacomet and had rather unimpressive performance.
Presumably they must mean the P-80 since a few early examples flew before the end of the war though it didn`t enter service until afterwards!

portable nuclear fusion reactor

I've seen some specs and info on that and their work is very promising. They have worked out a method of trapping hydrogen plasma in a small magnetic "stream" that has reached pressures needed for Fusion, in a device that would fit in a shipping cargo container (that's 'portable' right?).

A fusion reactor of similar power would be the size of City Hall! So, yes, it's quite portable by comparison!