Ben Rich (engineer)

Ben Rich
Born
Benjamin Robert Rich

June 18, 1925
DiedJanuary 5, 1995(1995-01-05) (aged 69)
Ventura, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationUCLA (BS)
UC Berkeley (MS)
Harvard Business School
OccupationEngineer
Known forRegarded as the "Father of stealth"
Engineering career
DisciplineAeronautical engineering
Employer(s)Lockheed (Skunk Works)
ProjectsU-2
SR-71 Blackbird
F-117 Nighthawk
F-22 Raptor

Benjamin Robert Rich (June 18, 1925 – January 5, 1995) was an American engineer and the second Director of Lockheed's Skunk Works from 1975 to 1991, succeeding its founder, Kelly Johnson. Regarded as the "father of stealth",[1] Rich was responsible for leading the development of the F-117, the first production stealth aircraft. He also worked on the F-104, U-2, A-12, SR-71, and F-22, among others.

  1. ^ Congressional Record--Senate, January 17, 1995, page S962 (Statement of Senator Robert Dole)