The Phantom knows By Joanna Leath The earliest mentions of Phantom Works started with the F-4 Phantom II, a supersonic, advanced jet fighter, produced from 1958 to 1985. Herman Barkey, the “father” of the F-4, started a special projects team, called the Phantom Works, that anticipated future needs and created advanced technologies for the F-4. Some wanted to emulate Barkey’s idea on a grander scale, but the idea was not immediately adopted. The Phantom name became a whisper in the dark world. By 1991, several contract losses led to the formation of an advanced technology organization that closely mirrored Barkey’s Phantom Works, called the New Aircraft Products Division. This group was created to compete in the evolving environment being dominated by Lockheed’s Advanced Development Company, also known as Skunk Works. After several name changes and years of the Phantom name appearing inside the company, the organization officially became known as the Phantom Works in 1996, paying homage to McDonnell Douglas’ legacy of engineering excellence. While the group creates intrigue for its “black” projects and vehicles that look like they belong in a science-fiction movie, Phantom Works was created for more than proprietary programs. “We’ve always been about more than black stuff ... Sure, it was a place to put the black stuff, but the goal was to consolidate research and development and find synergy between people doing like things,” said Jim Sinnett, former senior vice president and general manager, Phantom Works. “And together we reinvented how Boeing achieves new business.” Part of the reinvention is anticipating and preparing for technology gaps and needs that will not be required for several decades. “Our originators were making investments 25 years ago that are going to help us win competitions today,” said Gary Fitzmire, vice president of Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft. “And we are looking that far ahead now.” n joanna.m.leath@boeing.com Sbeeempt r 2015 29
Frontiers September 2015 Issue
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