Boeing is one of 28 major companies to form the Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium, (NCOIC), a major international, industry-wide consortium combining the companies’ experience and expertise to recommend a unified approach that would enable sensors, communications and information systems to interact within a global network-centric environment.

Founding members also include BAE Systems, CACI, Carrillo Business Technologies, Cisco Systems, EADS, EMC Corporation, Ericsson, Factiva®-a Dow Jones and Reuters Company, Finmeccanica, General Dynamics, HP, Honeywell, IBM, Innerwall, L-3 Communications (Integrated Systems), Lockheed Martin , Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, Oracle, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, SAAB, SAIC, Smiths Aerospace, Sun Microsystems, Thales, and Themis with The Open Group acting as the management company.

“Today marks the beginning of an unprecedented collaboration,” said Carl O'Berry, newly-elected chairman of the Executive Council of the NCOIC and Boeing vice president, Strategic Architecture. “We've assembled the brightest minds from some of the most innovative companies in the world to bring their insight, technology and customer requirements forward. I believe that we are on the cusp of profoundly changing the way we use network technology today, in both the military and commercial marketplaces. I am extremely proud to be associated with this powerhouse of knowledge. We understand the Network Centric Operations (NCO) vision, and we are committed to helping our customers achieve that vision.”

NCOIC was created in response to customer requests that industry assume a more prominent role in achieving network centric capability. The unique charter of the NCOIC makes it complementary to, not competitive with other consortia, industry associations, and government bodies that are also working toward the same goal of enabling customers to move rapidly to network-centric operations.

Boeing and IBM recently announced a strategic alliance in New York City to address an estimated $200 billion market for ground and space-based systems to enhance the nation's military communications, intelligence operations and homeland security.

The agreement brings together the nation's second largest defense contractor and leader in network-centric operations with the nation's leader in information technology and open-standards-based commercial software.

Through a 10-year alliance, the companies will develop advanced digital communications and information technologies for current and future Department of Defense and intelligence systems. These technologies will be critical for network-centric operations where satellites, aircraft, ships and submarines – as well as tanks, radios and even handheld computers – share information using the same interfaces, standards or protocols.

"The conflicts of the future will be less dependent upon who has the most physical assets such as ships, planes and tanks, but determined by who has the best information and the most efficient means of sharing it among all elements of the fighting forces," said Jim Albaugh president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "The Boeing and IBM team will deliver the finest digital information technology industry has to offer. With capabilities enhanced by this new technology our defense and intelligence community will gather real-time information and communicate it across all levels of command for maximum effect."

Boeing brings to the alliance its long history of success as a major military and intelligence platform provider, coupled with its broad experience as a lead systems integrator. IBM will provide Boeing with information management middleware, design elements for electronic systems products and will integrate complex, leading-edge technology into a variety of networking and computing systems being developed for the DoD and other government agencies. Additionally, IBM will provide microprocessor technology, electronics design tools, software and chip verification technology. The expertise IBM offers will enhance Boeing's role as a leader in providing government customers with network-centric operations.

Boeing recently announced it received a contract from DIRECTV to build three Boeing 702 model satellites. These spacecraft will provide DIRECTV with unprecedented national and local broadcast coverage in High Definition Television (HDTV).

Three 702 satellites, dubbed DIRECTV 10 and DIRECTV 11, an on-ground spare and six KA band uplink sites will enable DIRECTV to significantly expand broadcasting to their customers across the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. In addition to expanded national HDTV broadcasting, standard definition television broadcasting, and interactive television, DIRECTV 10 and DIRECTV 11 will provide the capability for DIRECTV to broadcast local HDTV to 90 percent of their customers.

“Over the course of our decade-long relationship with Boeing, we have continually been impressed with the caliber and value of satellites they build,” said Chase Carey, president and CEO of The DIRECTV Group. “These powerful satellites will enable us to expand our broadcast of comprehensive programming throughout the United States.”

“This contract is a testament to our relationship with DIRECTV, and to the value, service and robust technology we continually provide,” said Dave Ryan, vice president and general manager, Boeing Satellite Systems. “It is a validation of Boeing's world leadership in the development of satellites with unsurpassed capacity, performance and cost-efficiency – the 702.”

This year, Boeing Satellite Systems received recommendation by an independent auditor for IS0 9001 certification. Coupled with achieving CMMI Level 5 and through implementing aggressive quality and cost saving initiatives, the company continues to provide customers with reliable satellite systems.

The editors of IndustryWeek magazine picked the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifter facility in Macon, Ga., as one of the top 10 manufacturing plants in North America, earning the facility a 2004 Best Plants award.

Established in 1990, Industry Week's annual Best Plants competition recognizes facilities that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction, and create stimulating and rewarding work environments. There were approximately 400 entries in this year's Best Plants competition, judged on rigorous evaluation criteria including customer focus, technology, quality, performance measurement, employee involvement and empowerment, and improved competitiveness.

“This confirms that our commitment to business excellence and employee involvement delivers impressive results,” said Obie Jones, site leader of Team Macon. Jones said the key to the outstanding performance of the Macon facility is what he called the “highly-motivated, well trained, empowered work force operating in an environment of continuous improvement.”

The Boeing Macon plant produces structural subassemblies for the C-17 advanced airlifter, and also supports the Boeing AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook helicopter programs. Macon is the second C-17 facility to receive the Best Plants award. In 2002, the Boeing C-17 Production Complex in Long Beach, Calif., was named an Industry Week Best Plants winner.

“This year's win for Team Macon, combined with our Long Beach win in 2002, shows our C-17 facilities are world-class across the enterprise,” said Dave Bowman, vice president and C-17 program manager. “This is a tremendous achievement for the entire C-17 team, including our employees, our customers, our supplier partners and our shareholders.”

In honoring the Macon facility, Industry Week called it “a team-based, empowered work force that supports a unique, always striving-to-get-better culture.”