Ben Rich

Ben Rich served as the second director of Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Projects (Skunk Works) from 1975 to 1991, succeeding the legendary Kelly Johnson. Under Rich, Skunk Works developed the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter — the first operational stealth aircraft. Before his death from cancer in January 1995, Rich allegedly made several extraordinary statements about extraterrestrial technology. At a 1993 UCLA alumni speech, he reportedly said: 'We already have the means to travel among the stars, but these technologies are locked up in black projects and it would take an act of God to ever get them out to benefit humanity.' Jan Harzan (later MUFON director) says Rich told him directly: 'We have things in the Nevada desert that would make George Lucas envious.' Engineer John Andrews received a letter from Rich confirming that 'both manmade and extraterrestrial UFOs are real' and that Skunk Works 'can't get them out of classified programs.' Rich died in January 1995. He ran the most advanced classified aerospace programs in the world for 16 years. His statements, if accurate, represent the most senior Lockheed official to confirm reverse-engineering programs.