# Lockheed’s Skunk Works expands NLR partnership with Dutch industry focus The next phase with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre includes unmanned aerial systems, military operational analysis and technology roadmaps. Published 2026-10-16 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/16/lockheed-s-skunk-works-expands-nlr-partnership-with-dutch/ Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) announced a broader strategic partnership on Oct. 15 at NL-US Defense Industry Days.[1] The partners plan to position the Dutch defense industrial base within the international supply chain.[1] Connections to Dutch industry are one of four areas of cooperation, alongside coordination on military operational analysis, alignment on technology roadmaps and collaboration on unmanned aerial systems.[1] ## Why it matters The partnership began two years ago as an exploratory memorandum of understanding.[1] Lockheed says the collaboration has moved technologies from research toward solutions supporting Royal Netherlands Air Force mission readiness.[1] Ron Fehlen, Skunk Works’ vice president and general manager, said the partners have matured specific projects involving technologies such as thermoplastics.[1] ## Sources 1. Lockheed Martin: Skunk Works and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre Expand Strategic Collaboration (Oct. 15, 2026)