Mr. Cusimano started his presentation with brief history of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.  The photo at right illustrates the consodiation which is affecting all levels of the aerospace industry.  The areas of business in which Skunk Works is involved were outlined.  Skunk Works now supports its world renowned research and design habit with modification work and support services.  Next, he gave the audience a verbal walk-through each of the flight test programs currently and recently being flown at Skunk Works. 

After reviewing the current status of Lockheed's Joint Strike Fighter (X-35) program, Mr Cusimano gave an in-depth look at the X-33 program.  The X-33 is a half-scale technology demonstrator that will pave the way for Lockheed Martin's Single Stage to Orbit Reusable Lanuch Vehicle (SSTO-RLV), VentureStar®.  The X-33 is currently under construction at Skunk Works and is scheduled to fly in early 2000 to validate the unique combination of technologies that will be present in the VentureStar®.