Boeing Brings B-52 into Digital Age with Significant Communications

Enables in-flight task changing and weapons retargeting

Greatly improves situational awareness and mission

OKLAHOMA CITY, May 7, 2013 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] is providing an upgraded communications system for U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers so aircrews can send and receive information via satellite links, allowing crews to change mission plans and retarget weapons in flight and better interact with aircraft and ground forces.
To date, mission information has been uploaded to a B-52 only before a flight, not during. The upgrade, one of the largest improvements to the venerable bomber fleet, will therefore significantly improve B-52 effectiveness and flexibility.
"We are bringing this amazing workhorse of a bomber into the digital age and giving our customer the infrastructure necessary for continued future improvements," said Scot Oathout, Boeing B-52 program director.
The upgrade will be done through a new $76 million Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) contract that covers low rate initial production of the first CONECT kits, along with spare parts and maintenance and service at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. System installation will begin during the latter part of 2014.
Other improvements will include a state-of-the-art computing network with workstations at each crew position and an integrated digital interphone with increased capacity; it will enable crew members to talk to one another on headsets with noise-cancelling technology.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Boeing Delivers Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's 1st C-17 Training

ST. LOUIS, May 7, 2013 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has delivered a training center for the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, enabling the base to cut costs by training pilots and loadmasters onsite.
“Since we received our first C-17 at Wright-Patt in January 2011, our local crews have had to go on temporary duty at other bases around the country to keep up their flying certifications,” said Michael Galle, U.S. Air Force C-17 program manager for training systems at the base. “Now that we have our own training center, we can increase training efficiency and reduce travel time and costs.”
The delivery is part of an initial $44 million contract awarded in December 2010 to deliver C-17 Weapon System Trainers (WSTs) to Wright-Patterson, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and Stewart Air National Guard, N.Y. In December 2011, the Air Force exercised a $29 million option for additional C-17 WST deliveries for Air National Guard bases in Memphis, Tenn., and Martinsburg, W.V., scheduled for completion in 2014.
The Wright-Patterson facility includes a new and fully networked C-17 WST, a training management system, computer-based training devices, a core integrated processor task trainer and portable flight-planning devices. The new WST has the ability to be networked with other U.S. Air Force WST devices around the world for cross-team mission training.
Wright-Patterson is home base for nine C-17s, and the Air Force contracting office for the Boeing C-17 training program has been stationed at the base since the program’s inception in 1989.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Boeing Statement on WestJet Commitment to Order 10 Next-Generation

SEATTLE, May 7, 2013 - Boeing (NYSE: BA) is delighted that WestJet has committed to order 10 Next-Generation 737-800s. The commitment, with a current list-price value of $891 million, is a key component of the Calgary-based carrier’s strategy to optimize and modernize its fleet.
         Boeing looks forward to working with WestJet to finalize the order in the coming days. When finalized, the agreement will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries web site as a firm order.

Boeing Winnipeg Announces Site Expansion and 737 MAX Work

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 23, 2013 /-- Boeing (NYSE: BA) Canada Winnipeg today announced plans to increase its Murray Park Road manufacturing site by more than 22 percent, primarily to house new composites work for Boeing's 737 MAX airplane.
The building will be expanded by 14,000 square meters (150,000 square feet) to a total of 62,000 square meters (665,000 square feet) of manufacturing space. It will be used mainly to construct the one-piece composite acoustic inner barrel on the newly designed engine nacelle inlet for the 737 MAX.
The inner barrel is one of the latest quiet engine technologies that will be employed on the 737 MAX to help reduce the operational noise of the airplane by up to 40 percent.
"Boeing Canada Winnipeg has a great future ahead in support of unprecedented production rates," said Kevin Bartelson, general manager, Boeing Canada Winnipeg. "Earlier this year, we negotiated a successful contract extension with our local Canadian Auto Workers union. This contract ensures we have the stable workforce, skills and now the manufacturing space we need to take on exciting new production for the 737 MAX."
The expanded building, which includes two bays about the size of 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools, will house the 737 MAX and some 787 Dreamliner production. Construction will begin immediately on the west side of the existing Murray Park facility, with an estimated completion by the fourth quarter of 2014. Today's event was held in conjunction with Stantec and Graham Construction, the design-builders of the facility.
"I am very pleased with how our Winnipeg team has actively taken steps to be globally competitive and a reliable supplier to Boeing," said Ross R. Bogue, vice president and general manager, Boeing Fabrication, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We value the Canadian aerospace industry by consistently placing work with our Boeing Canadian facilities and supplier partners."
This site investment and contract award supports Boeing's continued presence in Winnipeg and enduring relationship with Canadian industry. These investments are aligned to the Industrial & Regional Benefits policy.
Canada is one of the largest international supplier bases for Boeing. Today, Boeing has 1,900 employees across Canada and partners with more than 200 major suppliers across the country. Combined with the Boeing facilities, this supply network significantly contributes to the Canadian economy by generating approximately $1 billion in business annually in Canada. Boeing Winnipeg is the largest aerospace composite manufacturing centre in Canada and manufactures complex composite parts for the 737, 747, 767, 777 and 787 airplanes.
Contact:
Terry Trupp
Boeing Canada Winnipeg Communications
1-204-294-9080
terry.trupp@boeing.com
Cris McHugh
Boeing Fabrication Communications
+1 206-851-9884 (mobile)
cristina.a.mchugh@boeing.com
SOURCE Boeing

Boeing to Begin Modifying 787s as FAA Approves Battery Improvements

- Modifications to existing fleets to begin; deliveries to resume soon

- Boeing to provide customers support for return to service

EVERETT, Wash., April 19, 2013 Today's approval of battery system improvements for the 787 Dreamliner by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clears the way for Boeing (NYSE: BA) and its customers to install the approved modifications and will lead to a return to service and resumption of new production deliveries.
"FAA approval clears the way for us and the airlines to begin the process of returning the 787 to flight with continued confidence in the safety and reliability of this game-changing new airplane," said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney. "The promise of the 787 and the benefits it provides to airlines and their passengers remain fully intact as we take this important step forward with our customers and program partners."
The FAA's action will permit the return to service of 787s in the United States upon installation of the improvements. For 787s based and modified outside the United States, local regulatory authorities provide the final approval on return to service.