Skunkworks project

As Skunk works (English skunk means " skunk " ) secret projects (also called black projects) designated. The term is also used for projects that employee without the knowledge of management perform (eg port of the Linux kernel on the IBM S/390 ).

Originally the name Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin was used as a semi- official name for the research and design department Lockheed Advanced Development Projects Unit, which was crucial in the development of many, some secret aircraft projects.

The term is meant to go back to the comic strip Li'l Abner by Al Capp. There, an unspecified designated product is created in the factory Skonk Works using skunks (English skunk ).