Lockheed Martin’s Skunk quietly meets with Israeli defense-tech start-ups – exclusive

Officials from Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, its advanced development division, recently visited Israel to meet with defense tech companies and senior defense officials. The trip, organized by Lockheed Martin Israel, aimed to identify battlefield-proven technologies for integration into Skunk Works' solutions, similar to their collaboration with Xtend. Paul Fogel, chief engineer, and his team met with over a dozen companies at various events, including a demo day near the Gaza border and an event in Tel Aviv co-hosted with Israel's Defense Ministry's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (MAFAT). These events focused on drones, command and control, and autonomy, featuring companies like Pixelsite, Regulus, and Particle Labs. Another event by CET Sandbox showcased startups in electronic warfare and force protection. The visit concluded with a public event at Start-up Nation Central, where over 100 Israeli startup representatives met the Lockheed Martin team. Candis Roussel of Lockheed Martin stated, "Skunk Works has always been at the forefront of cutting‑edge technology, and we love tackling new challenges."