KC-30 MRTT refuels fighters through boom, drogues

EADS released these photos of the KC-30 MRTT refueling fighters. The company previously released photos of refueling as viewed through the 3D controller’s panel video screen. The MRTT has now “passed gas” (as we like to say, much… Read More

USAirways defers Airbuses; may help in United competition

US Airways early this morning announced it has deferred deliveries of 54 Airbus wide- and narrow-body airplanes from 2010 to 2013 and beyond, including the A350 from 2015 to 2017. While a blow to Airbus on the one… Read More

Did Qantas further cut 787 orders?

The Center for Asia-Pacific Aviation (CAPA) reports that Qantas of Australia now only lists 25 firm 787 orders and 25 rights to purchase the airplane in its latest fleet plan. Boeing still shows 50 orders by the airline,… Read More

KC-767 to benefit from 787 “surge” line

Key points: The ability to increase production rates to sell more 767s in the coming years; Lower production costs, which will be built into the KC-X bid in the hot competition with the expected Northrop Grumman KC-30 submission…. Read More

Boeing sees new job cuts in 2010

Arabian Business quotes Boeing CEO Jim McNerney as saying more job cuts will be seen at the company next year as defense business declines.

Fly By Wire: US Airways 1549

We’ve just finished reading “Fly By Wire: The Geese, the Glide, the Miracle on the Hudson,” by William Langewiesche. It’s about US Airways 1549, the Airbus A320 pilot by Chelsey Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles, forced to make an… Read More

Tanker DRFP may violate law: former procurement official

Inside Defense, a subscription-only publication, today reported that a former defense procurement official believes the current KC-X tanker Draft RFP may violate the law. Here is what Inside Defense sent out in the public domain: Former Top Procurement… Read More

Boeing to build 737 into 2020s: Bair

The Renton (WA) Reporter has this story that Boeing will continue to build the 737 into the 2020 decade, further extending the timeline for a replacement aircraft, says Mike Bair, vice president of Business Strategy and Marketing for… Read More

Prediction: Boeing offers KC-767

Update: Defense News just published this article detailing the continuing problems Boeing has with the KC-767 Italian tanker, including the centerline hose-and-drogue problems we previously exclusively revealed in this column. Original Post: With Boeing and Northrop Grumman still… Read More

Boeing’s secrets

Evening Magazine, a 30-minute feature program by KING5 TV (NBC-Seattle) aired two segments November 4 about Boeing. The first is called “Boeing’s Secrets,” a feature about places, things or companies that the ordinary Joe doesn’t ordinarily know about… Read More