Boeing Threatens to Ditch Air Force Tanker Bid

Stealthy new planes can fly higher and faster than before

(NEWSER) - Last week, the US ran a secret test of an experimental spy plane that could revolutionize the war in Afghanistan. The $30 million plane, dubbed the Global Observer, has a wingspan almost as long as a Boeing 747, and can fly at stratospheric heights for days, keeping its “unblinking eye” on some 280,000 square miles—an area bigger than Afghanistan, the LA Times reports. More»

Looks to have capsule up and running by 2015

(NEWSER) - Boeing would like to fly you to your next vacation destination—in space. The aerospace giant is developing a space capsule that it thinks will be ready to launch tourists by 2015, the company has announced. The capsule will have seven seats, enough to carry a few spectators alongside a crew of astronauts, the Houston Chronicle reports. A company VP says the goal is “to become the Boeing commercial aircraft of human space commerce.” More»

Bitterly fought $40B contract left suddenly uncontested

(NEWSER) - Boeing seems to have won its drawn out battle to build the Air Force’s new fleet of refueling planes by default; competitor Northrop Grumman withdrew its bid for the $40 billion contract. Northrop’s CEO said the company wouldn’t protest if Boeing got the contract without any real competition. “America's service men and women have been forced to wait too long for new tankers,” he said. Creating further delays would “not be acting responsibly.” More»

(NEWSER) - Boeing was expecting to ride high on defense contracts in mid-2009 even as its 787 Dreamliner transformed air travel—but widespread problems have shadowed the firm's "dream summer," Dan Reed writes in USA Today. The Dreamliner's launch was delayed for a fifth time after structural problems were discovered, and analysts fear for the company's future as orders are canceled and defense contracts scaled down amid cutbacks and poor performance. More»

Machinists strike, other bugs throw more wrenches into Boeing's production

(NEWSER) - Wheels-up time for Boeing’s much-anticipated Dreamliner jet will likely be delayed at least another 6 months, leaving customers wondering if the aircraft will ever take to the skies, the Wall Street Journal reports. The fourth delay, attributed to the recent machinists strike, bugs in the plane’s computer software, and other snags, may push delivery to summer 2010—more than 2 years late. More»