ST. LOUIS, Feb. 25, 2011 – Boeing today received an IEEE Milestone award in Electrical Engineering and Computing from the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in recognition of the company’s work on the Mercury spacecraft. IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional association.

The Mercury spacecraft, America’s first manned space vehicle, was designed, developed and built by McDonnell Douglas Aircraft (a Boeing heritage company) in St. Louis. A total of 20 Mercury spacecraft were delivered to NASA, six of which carried astronauts into space between 1961 and 1963. John Glenn piloted Friendship 7 in the first U.S. human orbital flight on Feb. 20, 1962.
“We are truly honored to receive this recognition and pay tribute to the engineers who worked on the Mercury spacecraft,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “They helped set a strong foundation on which America’s space program continues to grow and thrive. Boeing and our heritage companies have supported human space exploration from the beginning, and our talented, innovative engineers and other employees will continue to build upon this legacy for many years to come.”
The award cites electrical and electronic systems invented by McDonnell Douglas Aircraft engineers that made the Mercury flights and future space flights possible. Among the engineers’ key contributions were navigation and control instruments, autopilot, rate stabilization and control, and fly-by-wire systems.

The IEEE Milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing program honors significant technical achievements that occurred at least 25 years ago in technology areas associated with IEEE. To date, more than 100 Milestones have been approved and dedicated around the world. This award also recognizes technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.
Home to Boeing Defense, Space & Security headquarters, the Boeing St. Louis site employs approximately 15,600 employees and is Missouri’s largest manufacturer and second-largest employer. Key products manufactured at the site include F/A-18E/Fs, F-15s, C-17s and weapons.

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) today unveiled its new 747-8 Intercontinental, the new high-capacity passenger airplane that offers airlines the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large passenger airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance.

Approximately 10,000 guests, including customers, Boeing employees, government officials, partners and suppliers, gathered in the factory in Everett, Wash., to witness the premiere of the Intercontinental at an event themed “Incredible, Again.” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Albaugh said the newest 747 incorporates technological advancements that make it an extremely productive airplane for customers.

“The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest in innovative technologies — applying many of the breakthroughs also found on the 787 Dreamliner,” said Albaugh. “We think our customers will value the low operating costs and passengers will enjoy the comfort of the striking new interior.”

“The 747-8 Intercontinental will be a great complement to our fleet, fitting nicely into the 400-seat category, improving our fleet’s eco-efficiency even further,” said Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. “As launch customer, we are looking forward to welcoming this new aircraft to our fleet next year as it adds to our ongoing fleet modernization and environmental efforts.”

Korean Air and VIP customers have joined launch customer Lufthansa in ordering a total of 33 747-8 Intercontinentals. First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter.

“As the only airplane in the 400 to 500-seat market, the 747-8 Intercontinental will give operators an airplane perfectly suited for long, heavily traveled routes around the world,” said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager, Airplane Programs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The new 747-8 Intercontinental will set a new standard in economic and environmental performance, while providing a world-class passenger experience.”

The 747-8 Intercontinental will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any large commercial jetliner, with 12 percent lower costs than its predecessor, the 747-400. The airplane provides 16 percent better fuel economy, 16 percent less carbon emissions per passenger and generates a 30 percent smaller noise footprint than the 747-400. The 747-8 Intercontinental applies interior features from the 787 Dreamliner that includes a new curved, upswept architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings.
The airplane unveiled today is painted in a new Sunrise livery of red-orange that only will appear on the first 747-8 Intercontinental and is a significant departure from Boeing’s standard blue. The new color palette honors many key Boeing customers whose cultures recognize these colors as symbols of prosperity and good luck.

MOSCOW, Oct. 29 — Boeing and the State Corporation Rostechnology today announced the finalization of an order for 50 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The order includes purchase rights for an additional 35 Next-Generation 737s. The State Corporation’s Supervisory Board approved the definitive agreement that was signed and announced on Sept. 17 during the Sochi Investment Forum in Russia. The order is valued at $3.7 billion at average list prices. Rostechnology’s order includes 15 Next-Generation 737-700s, 25 737-800s and 10 737-900ERs (extended range). 

"The order of Next-Generation 737s by Rostechnology represents a substantial investment in our future and will accelerate the significant progress we are making in improving the global competitiveness and efficiency of our airline industry," said Roman Pakhomov, chief executive officer of Aviation Capital Services, aviation leasing division of Rostechnology. "This agreement continues to build upon the strategic partnership between Rostechnology and Boeing."

The economic benefits, comfort and operating efficiencies consistently demonstrated by the Next-Generation 737 directly support Rostechnology’s plan to provide Russian airlines with efficient and reliable airplanes that will help them profitably grow domestic and international operations.

"This is a great day in the history of our long and enduring partnership with Rostechnology," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Today’s order for 737-700s, 737-800s and 737-900ERs underscores Rostechnology’s confidence in the world’s most successful single-aisle airplane. The entire Next-Generation 737 family offers superior operating economics and the 737-900ER has the best seat mile cost of any single-aisle airplane and provides our Next-Generation 737 customers with a compelling low-risk growth opportunity."

Rostechnology 737s will be delivered with the all-new 737 Boeing Sky Interior. Inspired by the passenger experience, it promises to redefine the 737 travel experience. In addition to the new design, Boeing also announced a performance improvement package offering a 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption through various airframe and engine improvements.

Over the past 20 years, Boeing’s joint programs in Russia have resulted in almost $6 billion in highly successful joint projects with its Russian partners making Boeing the largest international aerospace investor in Russia.

Boeing announced in September that its production rate for the Next-Generation 737 program will increase from the current rate of 31.5 airplanes per month to 35 in early 2012 and to 38 airplanes per month in the second quarter of 2013.