Lockheed shifts exec to lead 'Skunk Works' development shop
A US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) version of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, flies past during a preview of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on February 13, 2022. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images
By
Ross Wilkers
The company moves one of its top engineering and technology executives to lead its famous advanced development division known as Skunk Works.
Lockheed Martin has appointed 23-year company veteran John Clark to the role of vice president and general manager for Skunk Works, the defense giant’s famed advanced aircraft development programs division.
His move to the new position takes effect April 4, Lockheed said Monday. Clark succeeds Jeff Babione, who plans to retire from Lockheed at the end of the month after nearly three decades.
Clark is currently vice president of engineering and technology, a role that seems him responsible for the technical integrity of products and processes in Lockheed’s aeronautics segment. He leads a team of nearly 8,000 engineers focused on development.
Babione has led the Skunk Works organization since 2018 and before that was Lockheed’s lead executive for the F-35 fighter jet program.