Lockheed Martin unveiled the existence of a new high altitude, unmanned aerial demonstrator to reporters attending the Farnborough International Air Show on July 19, 2006. The announcement was part of a review of several Skunk Works projects highlighting technologies the company is exploring to enable technology for the future. Developed in only 18 months, using internal funding, unmanned system P-175, nicknamed ‘Polecat’ represents the key tenets for which the Skunk Works is known.
It was specifically designed to verify three things: new, cost effective rapid prototyping and manufacturing techniques of composite materials; projected aerodynamic performance required for sustained high altitude operations; and flight autonomy attributes.
