[quote]Clarence Leonard "Kelly" Johnson (February 27, 1910 – December 21, 1990) was an American aeronautical and systems engineer.
He is recognized for his contributions to a series of important aircraft designs, most notably the Lockheed U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird.
Besides the first production aircraft to exceed Mach 3, he also produced the first fighter capable of Mach 2, the United States' first operational jet fighter, as well as the first U.S. fighter to exceed 400 mph, and many other contributions to a large number of aircraft.
As a member and first team leader of the Lockheed Skunk Works, Johnson worked for more than four decades and is said to have been an "organizing genius".
He played a leading role in the design of [b]over forty aircraft[/b], including several honored with the prestigious Collier Trophy, acquiring a reputation as one of the most talented and prolific aircraft design engineers in the history of aviation.
In 2003, as part of its commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' flight, Aviation Week & Space Technology ranked Johnson 8th on its list of the top 100 "most important, most interesting, and most influential people" in the first century of aerospace[/quote]
[color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px]Johnson contributed to the design of the following Lockheed aircraft:[/size][/font][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/size][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Model_9_Orion]Model 9D Orion[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], First airliner with retractable landing gear, faster than any known military aircraft of the time. Won 1937 [/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmon_Trophy]Harmon Trophy[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)].
[/size][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Model_10_Electra]Model 10 Electra[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], flown by Amelia Earhart on her ill-fated around-the-world expedition in 1937. First aircraft to perform round trip commercial flight over Atlantic Ocean.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... tra_Junior]Model 12 Electra Junior[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], upgraded version of Model 10. Used to prove wing deicing using engine exhaust, as well as testing of twin engine aircraft aboard aircraft carriers. Used by British intelligence to spy on pre-war Nazi Germany. Won 1937 Bendix Trophy.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... er_Electra]Model 14 Super Electra[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)] Upgrade variant of Model 10. In 1938, completed world record flight of 15,441 mi (24,850 km).[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Lodestar]Model 18 Lodestar[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], competitor to famous [/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-3]DC-3[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)]. Similar operating cost, superior performance, smaller passenger capacity[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PV-1_Ventura]PV-1 Ventura[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], militarized version of Model 18. Would often lead B-24 bomber formations, due to being equipped with its own search radar unit. Used in both Pacific and European theater, including bombing raids on Germany, and hunting enemy submarines.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_Lightning]P-38 Lightning[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], the first U.S. fighter to exceed 400 mph (640 km/h; 350 kn),[/size][size=1px][[i][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)]citation needed[/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][/i]][/size][size=14px] and the aircraft which killed Admiral [/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto]Isoroku Yamamoto[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)]. Holds record for longest interception mission of World War II.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Constellation]Constellation[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)] family, first family of pressurized airliners. Used in various military roles, including transporting President Eisenhower, and General MacArthur.[/size][/font][/color][list type=disc][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... stellation]L-049 Constellation[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)] First version of Constellation, first four engine aircraft produced by Lockheed. Upon its first flight, the chief test pilot remarked, "This machine works so well that you don't need me anymore!"[/size][/font][/color][list type=disc][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px]L-149 Constellation, designation given to L-049 aircraft refitted with a larger fuel capacity[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... stellation]C-69 Constellation[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], military transport version of the Constellation. Only one served during World War II, as a troop and VIP carrier.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... stellation]L-649 Constellation[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], improved L-049 which included overhead sleeping berth, as well as a removable cargo bay, the "Speedpak".[/size][/font][/color][list type=disc][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... stellation]L-749 Constellation[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], improved L-649. Larger fuel capacity, strengthened landing gear, and eventually weather radar.[/size][/font][/color][list type=disc][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... stellation]C-121/R7O/R7V Constellation[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], military version of L-749. Used as radar warning AWACS aircraft. President Dwight Eisenhower and General Douglas MacArthur both used the C-121A as their personal VIP transports. Also used as a freighter.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... rning_Star]PO-1W/WV-1 Warning Star[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], [/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_early_warning]airborne early warning[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)] (AEW) variant of the C-121, used to supplement the Distant Early Warning Line. EC-121s were also used for intelligence gathering.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... stellation]L-1049 Super Constellation[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], stretched version of the Constellation, modified into several military variants.[/size][/font][/color][list type=disc][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list type=disc][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px]PO-2W/WV-2/WV-3/EC-121 Warning Star. AEW variant, used along with picket ships to warn of incoming Soviet bomber attacks.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][size=14px][/color][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_ ... stellation]YC-121F/R7V-2 Constellation[/url][/color][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)], experimental turboprop military transport.[/size][/font][/color][/li][/list][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][list][li][color=rgb(34, 34, 34)][font=sans-serif][/font][/color][/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_L-1649_Starliner]L-1649 Starliner[/url][/color], last model of the Lockheed Constellation line. Powered by four [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_R-3350]Wright R-3350[/url][/color] TurboCompound engines.[/li]
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[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-80_Shooting_Star]F-80 Shooting Star[/url][/color], the first successful American jet fighter. First west-to-east Atlantic crossing by single-engined jet.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-33_Shooting_Star]T-33[/url][/color] and [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T2V_SeaStar]TV-2[/url][/color], trainer versions of F-80.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P2V_Neptune]P2V Neptune[/url][/color], anti-submarine bomber. Temporarily kept aboard aircraft carriers to use as a stop gap, one use, nuclear bomber. Incapable of landing on aircraft carrier after launch.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_XF-90]XF-90[/url][/color], prototype penetration fighter. First USAF jet with an afterburner and the first Lockheed jet to fly supersonic.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-94_Starfire]F-94 Starfire[/url][/color], first operational USAF fighter equipped with an afterburner and the first jet-powered all-weather fighter to enter combat.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_X-7]X-7[/url][/color], testbed for ramjet engines and missile guidance technology. Dropped from B-52 and assisted by rocket on initial flight phase, exceeded Mach 4.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-104_Starfighter]F-104 Starfighter[/url][/color], first Mach 2 fighter to enter service. With its GE [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J79]J79[/url][/color] engine, it won the 1958 [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collier_Trophy]Collier Trophy[/url][/color] for its Lockheed and GE technical achievement.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-117A_Nighthawk]F-117A Nighthawk[/url][/color], first operational stealth aircraft.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-130_Hercules]C-130 Hercules[/url][/color], turboprop military transport. Longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. Over 40 models serving in at least 60 nations.[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2]U-2[/url][/color], high altitude intelligence gathering aircraft.[/li]
[li]Blackbird family: [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-12_OXCART]A-12[/url][/color], [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_YF-12]YF-12[/url][/color], [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR-71_Blackbird]SR-71[/url][/color], [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_D-21/M-21]M-21[/url][/color], and [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_D-21/M-21]D-21[/url][/color]. First family of operational Mach 3 aircraft. Composed almost entirely of titanium. The CIA M-21 was capable of launching a Mach 3 drone, known as the D-21. The YF-12 interceptor version was capable of launching a Mach 4 version of the [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-47_Falcon]AIM-47 Falcon[/url][/color] missile, capable of hitting bombers flying at extremely low altitude. Johnson's second Collier Trophy (1963).[/li]
[li][color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_JetStar]JetStar/C-140[/url][/color], first dedicated [color=rgb(11, 0, 128)][url=
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_jet]business jet[/url][/color] to enter service.[/li]
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