The Incredible Story of the First Stealth Fighter

This episode is based on excerpts from Skunk Works, a memoir by Ben R. Rich and Leo Janos documenting the history of Lockheed’s elite aircraft division. The narrative focuses on the revolutionary development of stealth technology under Rich’s leadership during the late Cold War era. It details the discovery of mathematical theories by Denys Overholser that enabled the design of the "Hopeless Diamond," a faceted aircraft shape capable of evading sophisticated Soviet radar. The source describes the intense internal skepticism and secret competition with Northrop that led to the successful testing of the Have Blue prototype. Ultimately, the memoir provides a firsthand account of the engineering risks and geopolitical pressures involved in creating iconic military assets like the F-117A stealth fighter.