Fourth Quarter 2008
Oct. 1, 2008
The Brazilian Air Force selects the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet as one of three aircraft to be evaluated in the request for proposals phase of its F-X2 jet fighter competition. Brazil is expected to make a final contract award in late 2009. The stated initial requirement is for 36 aircraft, with the potential for up to 120.
Boeing receives a contract from VSE Corp. to help provide logistics support for the Route Clearing Vehicles Modernization Program to strengthen the U.S. military's defense against roadside mines and improvised explosive devices. IEDs are the primary source of casualties for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
News Release
Oct. 2, 2008
The U.S. Air Force awards Integrated Defense Systems' Global Services & Support business the initial phase of a three-year contract to continue the Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership program. Under the program, Boeing and the Air Force work together to manage such sustainment activities as field support, depot-level maintenance and supply-chain management, as well as aircraft modifications and upgrades.
News Release
Boeing announces it is combining Alteon, a wholly owned subsidiary, and existing training groups within Boeing Commercial Airplanes to form a unified training organization. The new organization, which retains the Alteon name as a business unit within Commercial Aviation Services, encompasses all development, deployment and delivery of aviation training and flight services.
News Release
Oct. 7, 2008
Boeing announces a new rotorcraft program designed for international military customers: the AH-6 light attack/reconnaissance helicopter. The AH-6 is based on a combat-proven platform with a heritage of successful service with special operations forces. Boeing would produce the AH-6 at its Rotorcraft Systems facility in Mesa, Ariz.
News Release
Oct. 8, 2008
Boeing's five-year carbon dioxide emissions reduction target is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Leaders program. Boeing commits to cutting carbon dioxide emissions at its U.S. operations by 1 percent by 2012 -- a goal that requires a 25 percent energy efficiency improvement.
Oct. 9, 2008
Boeing provides a $100,000 grant to the King County [Washington] Low Income Credit Union Project to build an innovative, sustainable and replicable low-income credit union. The project aims to provide fair and affordable financial services in support of financial stability and economic development in stressed communities.
Oct. 15, 2008
American Airlines announces that it intends to purchase 42 787-9 Dreamliners, with the rights to acquire another 58 787s.
News Release
Boeing announces an agreement to acquire Federated Software Group, a St. Louis-based company whose engineering services and software systems help track and distribute equipment and personnel for the U.S. Department of Defense. Federated becomes part of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' Global Services & Support business, working with Advanced Global Services & Support.
News Release
Oct. 16, 2008
Boeing Capital Corporation advises guests at its annual Financiers and Investors Conference in Dubai that turbulent global economic conditions present opportunities for investors interested in the airplane financing market. Boeing Capital says it has been working with Middle Eastern investors to make them more comfortable with airplanes as an investment class, and to see the advantages planes offer when compared to such alternatives as real estate.
Oct. 23, 2008
A group of 18 women leaders from across Boeing are honored for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The employees received the awards at the National Women of Color Technology Awards Conference. "Each of these 18 exceptional women serve as excellent role models for young people considering a career in engineering," said John Tracy, Boeing chief technology officer and senior vice president of Engineering, Operations & Technology.
Oct. 24, 2008
Boeing launches the third of four Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation SkyMed spacecraft for Thales Alenia Space Italia. Boeing Launch Services uses a Delta II launch vehicle procured from United Launch Alliance.
News Release
Oct. 31, 2008
Boeing employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Washington, Oregon and Kansas vote to ratify a new four-year contract and return to work. The vote ends a 58-day strike.
News Release
Nov. 3, 2008
Boeing rolls out the first F-15SG jet fighter for Singapore. A variant of the F-15E, the F-15SG is the first of 24 aircraft ordered by the Singapore air force. The aircraft will undergo a yearlong flight-test program to confirm performance. Boeing expects to begin F-15SG deliveries in the second quarter of 2009.
News Release
Nov. 13, 2008
GI Jobs magazine ranks Boeing No. 37 among the most military-friendly U.S. employers. Boeing is recognized for its assistance to veterans, including participation in veteran-oriented career fairs and job expos. The company also has lengthened military leave benefits and insurance coverage for nearly 4,800 employees who have served in the Reserve or National Guard since Sept. 11, 2001.
Boeing announces the delivery of the first production Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits to the U.S. Navy, addressing the service's need to engage fast-moving land targets. LJDAM adds a precision laser guidance set to the standard JDAM guidance tail kit to acquire and track laser-targeted signals.
News Release
Nov. 14, 2008
Boeing announces that the first 747-8 Freighter delivery will be moved back from late 2009 to the third quarter of 2010, and the first 747-8 Intercontinental delivery will move from late 2010 to the second quarter of 2011.
News Release
Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off for NASA's fourth and final space shuttle mission of the year. The seven-member crew begins 16-day mission to the International Space Station that includes four spacewalks to lubricate and clean two giant rotary joints and deliver 14,000 pounds (6,350 kg) of cargo, including a second toilet.
Nov. 15, 2008
Boeing completes destructive testing on a full-scale 787 composite wing box -- the first all-composite wing box ever built for a Boeing commercial airplane. The wing box carries the wing to the fuselage and supports leading- and trailing-edge devices. The test proves the wings can withstand 150 percent of the highest load the 787 Dreamliner could ever be expected to encounter.
News Release
Nov. 18, 2008
Boeing announces an agreement with four Chinese banks to work together to expand China's involvement in airplane financing. China is the fastest-growing aviation market in the world, and Chinese banks are taking on an increasingly important role in supporting aviation's growth, Boeing officials say.
With an order from LAN Airlines for four 767-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners, Boeing reaches 28 orders for the twin-aisle airplane in 2008.
Nov. 20, 2008
Nations around the globe celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Space Station, the largest spacecraft ever built. The orbital assembly of the station began Nov. 20, 1998, with the launch from Kazakhstan of a bus-sized component, the Zarya Control Module. That launch began a space research and construction project of unprecedented complexity and sophistication -- involving 16 countries -- and Boeing has played a key role.
Dec. 1, 2008
Boeing announces that the Airborne Laser fired its high-energy laser through the aircraft's beam control/fire control system for the first time, striking a simulated target. Boeing is the prime contractor for ABL, which will provide the capability to destroy ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight.
News Release
747-8 Freighter flying in formation with the 747-8 Intercontinental.
Dec. 2, 2008
Engineering and technical employees represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace ratify new four-year collective bargaining agreements covering nearly 21,000 workers in Washington, Oregon, California and Utah.
News Release
Dec. 3, 2008
Boeing announces the completion of a mission-system upgrade for NATO's Airborne Warning and Control System fleet under a $1.32 billion contract. The enhancements integrate data from various AWACS sensors and other sources and increase the number of targets the aircraft's systems can manage at one time.
News Release
Dec. 5, 2008
Boeing, along with industry partners and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, conduct the most complex flight test to date of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. During the test, military operators launch an interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., which tracks, intercepts and destroys a target warhead.
News Release
Dec. 11, 2008
Boeing announces that the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner is scheduled for the second quarter of 2009, with delivery of the first 787 in the first quarter of 2010. The new schedule reflects the impact of disruption caused by the recent machinists strike and having to replace fasteners that were installed incorrectly.
Boeing also announces leadership changes and restructuring to enable Commercial Airplanes to better align resources across development and production programs, and to strengthen oversight of the global supply chain.
News Release
Dec. 15, 2008
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory selects an industry team led by Phantom Works for a technology development contract to enable unmanned aerial vehicles to refuel from tanker aircraft. Under phase II of the Automated Aerial Refueling program, the team will conduct flight tests that include autonomous multi-ship operations and the actual delivery of fuel to a manned surrogate UAV. Boeing led phase I of the program.
Dec. 17, 2008
The U.S. Air Force authorizes $234 million to Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems to complete production of the sixth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite. With this authorization, Boeing is now fully funded for the production of all three WGS Block II satellites, and is on-track to deliver the first in this new series in 2011. The first of three WGS Block I satellites went into service in April 2008; the second is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2009.
Dec. 23, 2008
Boeing achieves its 2008 commitment to certify all major manufacturing facilities to the globally recognized International Organization for Standardization 14001 environmental management system standard. Auditors recognized more than 80 positive noteworthy items and zero major nonconformances in certifying Boeing's sites.