Development of the P80 Shooting Star in 143 Days
Johnson initiated the P80 project without a contract, leading to the first operational US jet fighter in 1944. The rapid development process, despite significant risks and a high human cost, redefined military aircraft design in the US.
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The P80 Shooting Star, the first operational US jet fighter, was developed in just 143 days, with delivery occurring a week ahead of schedule. Johnson started the project without a formal contract from the Army or Lockheed, as the administrative process was slow.
The contract was finalized four months later, by which time the team had completed 80% of the work. The project faced numerous challenges, including limited secrecy and serious design flaws that led to crashes and fatalities, including that of test pilot Milo Burcham.
Despite the P80's shortcomings compared to contemporaries like the Messerschmitt Me 262, Johnson's approach emphasized engineer autonomy and efficiency, influencing future US military aircraft development significantly. His management style prioritized results over bureaucracy, leading to his involvement in subsequent significant programs like the U2 and SR-71 Blackbird.
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