Skip navigation.

We develop systems solutions and enabling technologies to position Boeing businesses for future growth.

BOEING PHANTOM WORKS:
THE CATALYST OF INNOVATION FOR THE ENTERPRISE
Photo of: In 2003, Boeing's X-45A Joint Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrators continued flight testing
In 2003, Boeing’s X-45A Joint Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrators continued flight testing of single-ship operations and began the next block of demonstrations focused on coordinated multivehicle operations. Larger, more capable X-45C demonstrators, also under development, will begin flight testing in 2006.

Boeing Phantom Works, our advanced R&D unit, provides new systems, technologies and processes to position the company for future growth. By working with our business units to determine their technology needs and collaborating with universities, research agencies and other technology companies worldwide to meet those needs, Phantom Works creates innovative systems solutions and enabling technologies that are defining the future of aerospace.

Year in Review In 2003, Phantom Works captured several important defense programs, including the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems, X-45C Joint Unmanned Combat Air System, X-43C Reusable Hypersonic Vehicle, Orbital Space Plane multipurpose space vehicle, Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter, and Battle Management Command and Control programs, as well as some classified programs.

We also successfully executed on key programs. We conducted single-ship flight testing and began multiship testing of the X-45A Joint Unmanned Combat Air System. In addition, we performed successful first flights of the revolutionary Canard Rotor/Wing concept, which can operate both as a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft, and readied the X-37 reusable space plane concept for further development. By year’s end, we had transitioned the Future Combat Systems, X-45 and X-37 programs to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

Phantom Works exceeded its goal in 2003 for moving innovative technologies to the business units to reduce cycle times and cost while improving product quality and performance. As a major focus, we provided the Boeing 7E7 program with the advanced design, analysis, avionics, materials and assembly technologies it needs to design and produce the most efficient, comfortable and affordable middle-of-the-market airliner possible.

Strategic research alliances forged with universities and government and nongovernment research agencies around the globe help to ensure that the best technologies in the world are infused into Boeing systems. We announced new alliances with Cambridge and Sheffield Universities in the United Kingdom, the Polytechnic Universities of Madrid and Catalonia in Spain, and Stanford and Carnegie-Mellon Universities in the United States, along with new alliances with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa and Centro Ricerche Fiat in Italy.

We continue to invest globally in venture capital funds focused on technologies of interest to Boeing. For example, our new Research and Technology Center in Madrid announced partners in a new project focused on developing more efficient, environmentally friendly fuel cell technology for potential use in commercial airplanes.

Future Outlook To help ensure our long-range business success, Phantom Works identifies future business opportunities and technologies to support current business plans. In addition, we help develop “new frontiers” by applying a disciplined process to identify and pursue advanced product lines or services not listed in the long-range business plans of our business units but having potential for producing significant revenues and profits. By pursuing such long-term growth opportunities, Phantom Works can make even greater contributions to defining the future of aerospace and maintaining Boeing’s role as the global aerospace leader.