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Key figures like Kelly Johnson and his team at Skunk Works fundamentally changed aviation through radical innovations. Johnson's focus on streamlined processes, elimination of excessive bureaucracy, and a commitment to rapid prototype development aligned closely with the urgent needs of military strategy during the Cold War.
His design philosophy emphasized simplicity and efficiency, which can be seen in the remarkable achievements of aircraft like the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird. The U-2's reconnaissance capabilities and the SR-71's unmatched speed and altitude records were revolutionary for their time and demonstrated the successful application of advanced aerodynamic designs and materials.