DefenceTalkBoeing and Azerbaijan-based airline Silk Way West announced that the two companies are finalizing terms and working toward a purchase agreement for three 747-8 Freighter airplanes. When finalized, the contract will be valued at more than $1.1 billion at current list prices. The order will be posted on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website once all […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-statement-on-silk-way-west-commitment-for-three-747-8-freighters-61810/

DefenceTalkThe KC-46 Pegasus development program completed its first flight of Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) aircraft #1 Dec. 28. EMD #1 is a provisioned 767-2C freighter and the critical building block for the KC-46 missionized aerial refueler. The maiden flight took off at 9:29 AM PST from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, and landed at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-completes-successful-first-flight-in-kc-46-program-61226/

DefenceTalkBoeing and the U.S. Army have proven the capabilities of the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD) in maritime conditions, successfully targeting a variety of aerial targets at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. “Under windy, rainy and foggy weather conditions in Florida, these engagements were the most challenging to date with a 10-kilowatt […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-laser-demonstrator-destroys-targets-through-wind-and-fog-60531/

DefenceTalkBoeing’s AH-6i light attack/reconnaissance helicopter has flown for the first time in its production configuration, moving the program another step closer to full-scale production while continuing to prove the helicopter’s close air support and attack capabilities. Boeing pilots flew the aircraft for less than 20-minutes at low speeds in forward, rearward and sideward flight at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/maiden-flight-for-boeing-ah-6i-light-helicopter-59481/

DefenceTalkUS aerospace and defense giant Boeing raised its 2014 profit outlook Wednesday despite a first-quarter profit slide, citing strong demand for its new jetliners. A sharp rise in pension costs from a change in retirement plans offset Boeing’s robust commercial aircraft deliveries as airlines seek to renew aging fleets with more fuel-efficient jetliners. Boeing posted […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-lifts-profit-outlook-as-jetliner-demand-booms-59410/

DefenceTalkThe KC-46 program has made good progress over the past year—acquisition costs have remained relatively stable, the critical design review was successfully completed, the program is on track to meet performance parameters, and the contractor started building development aircraft. As shown, total program acquisition costs—which include development, production, and military construction costs—and unit costs have […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46-tanker-aircraft-program-on-track-but-upcoming-schedule-remains-challenging-59302/

DefenceTalkBoeing’s Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) demonstrator recently completed its first flight to verify airworthiness, an important milestone toward providing a low-risk and cost-effective maritime surveillance solution designed for search and rescue, anti-piracy patrols and coastal and border security. Boeing teammate Field Aviation conducted the successful testing during a four-hour flight on Feb. 28 from Toronto’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-maritime-surveillance-aircraft-demonstrator-completes-first-flight-58950/

DefenceTalkBoeing’s P-8A Poseidon program will enter full production, following a $2.4 billion contract award from the U.S. Navy for 16 additional aircraft that will bolster maritime patrol capabilities. The order, which will take the total fleet to 53, marks a transition from preliminary low-rate production. Boeing has delivered 13 P-8As to the Navy, which deployed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-receives-2-4-billion-contract-for-16-p-8a-poseidon-aircraft-58870/

DefenceTalkThe Government has approved the acquisition of eight P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. These state-of-the-art aircraft will dramatically boost Australia’s ability to monitor its maritime approaches and patrol over 2.5 million square kilometres of our marine jurisdiction – an area equating to nearly 4 per cent of the world’s oceans. The first aircraft will be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-to-buy-8-boeing-p-8a-maritime-surveillance-aircraft-58831/

DefenceTalkBoeing and Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance (AFI KLM E and M ) have successfully completed the Mid-Life Upgrade modification on the first of four E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft for the French Air Force. The upgrade is part of a Foreign Military Sale in 2010 between France’s Direction Generale […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-and-air-france-industries-complete-major-modification-of-french-awacs-aircraft-58825/