"Lockheed Martin: Portrait of an American Company" chronicles the fascinating evolution of a global aerospace and defense giant, from its humble beginnings in the early days of aviation to its current position as the world's largest defense contractor. This comprehensive history traces the parallel paths of Lockheed Aircraft Company and the Glenn L. Martin Company, highlighting their pioneering contributions during World War II, the Cold War innovations of the legendary Skunk Works(R), and their ventures into the missile and space age. The narrative explores the challenges and triumphs of both companies, including financial crises, hostile takeovers, and the development of iconic aircraft like the P-38 Lightning, U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, C-130 Hercules, and F-35 Lightning II. The book culminates with the dramatic 1995 merger that created Lockheed Martin and examines the corporation's subsequent acquisitions and expansion into a technological powerhouse.

The book delves into the company's current dominance in defense, exploring its major business divisions: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space. Each division's contributions to modern military technology are examined, from advanced fighter jets and transport aircraft to precision missiles, missile defense systems, naval combat systems, and sophisticated satellite networks. Beyond traditional defense, the book considers Lockheed Martin's role in addressing global challenges, including climate change monitoring, sustainable energy initiatives, disaster relief support, and cybersecurity solutions.

Finally, the narrative looks toward the future, outlining Lockheed Martin's vision for the next century of aerospace and defense. This includes the pursuit of hypersonic flight, the development of next-generation air dominance systems, the increasing integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and the company's role in advanced communication networks like 5G.MIL(R). "Lockheed Martin: Portrait of an American Company" offers a compelling and detailed account of a company that not only builds advanced technology but also shapes the future of defense and global security.