On July 16, Gov. Matt Blunt met with Boeing officials and asked Missouri's Congressional delegation to help secure funding for the continued production of the C-17 Globemaster III in the fiscal 2009 Department of Defense budget. Blunt asked Congress to secure funding to build 15 additional C-17s, which reportedly cost $3.6 billion.

Shares of Boeing rose 10 cents to close at $68.24 Monday.

FinancialWire" is a fully independent, proprietary news wire service of Investrend Information (a division of Investrend Communications, Inc.). FinancialWire" news is written by professional journalists, dedicated to pure journalistic standards. FinancialWire" does not receive or accept any compensation from any individual or subject company (or representative thereof) for its news or opinions. All FinancialWire" news is available at http://www.financialwire.net . Please address any inquiries to feedback@financialwire.net .

Free annual reports for companies mentioned in the news are available at http://investrend.ar.wilink.com/?level=279 .

http://www.financialwire.net

"Boeing is pleased that Qatar joins its international partners -- the U.S. Air Force, the UK Royal Air Force, Canadian Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force -- in selecting the C-17, the world's leading airlifter, to modernize its defense forces' airlift fleet," said Jean Chamberlin, vice president and general manager, Global Mobility Systems. "We look forward to delivering C-17s and a new world-class airlift capability to Qatar, with the industry-leading safety, quality and reliability that all C-17 customers enjoy."

"The QAF is very pleased to be acquiring C-17s," said H.E. Maj. Gen. Hamad bin Ali Al-Attiyah, chief of staff, Qatar Armed Forces. "The C-17 Globemaster III is a world-class strategic and tactical airlifter that has proven itself repeatedly around the world. This agreement marks a new era in Qatar's ability to provide strategic airlift in support of our military and humanitarian operations."

Boeing is on contract to design, build, deliver and support 190 U.S. Air Force C-17s, and the company will soon negotiate the contract for 15 additional C-17s that were approved in the 2008 Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Bill. There are currently 189 C-17s in service worldwide. The U.S. Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 175. The Royal Air Force has six, the Canadian Forces has four and the Royal Australian Air Force has four.

"The QAF closely evaluated the available options for airborne strategic lift and determined the C-17 best fit the requirements for the State of Qatar," said Staff Brig. Gen. Ahmad Al-Malki, head of Qatar's airlift selection committee. "The aircraft forms the core of the nation's strategic airborne lift capability."

As the only tactical airlifter with strategic range, the C-17 has become the world's airlifter of choice. Capable of flying between continents and landing on short, austere runways, the C-17 is used worldwide for both military and humanitarian missions.

"We continue to see strong international interest in C-17s," said Tommy Dunehew, Boeing International C-17 program manager. "Reliability and maintainability are two outstanding benefits of the C-17 system."

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.

SOURCE Boeing

http://www.boeing.com

Airmen in the wheel and tire shop typically have more than 450 bolts a week to be inspected by NDI. To get them ready for inspection, anti-seize graphite has to be removed from the bolts. Anti-seize graphite is a compound that keeps the bolts from seizing up when nuts are screwed on to a bolt.

Before the new process was introduced, the bolts would have to soak in a parts-cleaning tank for 60 minutes. After that, 10 minutes would be spent manually cleaning one set, consisting of 12 bolts, with a wire brush to remove remaining anti-seize from the threads.

In total, the Airmen manually clean about 1,260 bolts, spending more than 200 hours a year cleaning, and more than 105 hours waiting for the bolts to be cleaned in the parts washers.

"Our objective was to increase the efficiency of cleaning the bolts," Sergeant Melendez said.

To add to the time spent on cleaning the bolts, if the bolts were not entirely cleaned after being sent to NDI, they could be sent back to the wheel and tire shop for additional cleaning, which would add to the time spent on a set of bolts.

To help decrease the time spent on cleaning a set of bolts, Sergeant Melendez devised a way of speeding up the process by using a powered cleaning device to clean the bolts more efficiently.

Sergeant Melendez decided the best way to create such an item was to use materials readily available and fabricate tools that could help with the process. A power drill was purchased along with a bolt cleaner that is cylindrical with soft bristles in the middle. He also asked the 437 MXS fabrication shop to make a jig, or small platform, with 12 holes and sockets to safely secure the bolts for cleaning.

With items purchased and made, the Airmen now just need to brush off the anti-seize with the bolt cleaner without having to deal with the parts cleaner, and taking less time to do it.

With the new tool and jig, it now takes 1 minute, 15 seconds to clean a set of bolts. Because of the thorough cleaning the bolts now receive, it has also cut back on the number of bolts that are returned from NDI due to not be clean enough.

"We set out with one goal in mind: take one task that was both difficult and time-consuming and improve it," Sergeant Melendez said. "What we found was a better way of doing the same job in less time and more efficiently."

Because of the introduction of the new process for cleaning the nose-wheel bolts, one Airman thinks the new process is a great improvement.

"The old process just took so long and it required more than one person to get the bolts cleaned in a reasonable time," said Airman 1st Class Quinton Valentine, 437 MXS wheel and tire shop crew chief. "With the new process, it has cut down the time dramatically. We don't have to use wire brushes and there is no solvent that has to be used."

Because of the change in the way the bolts are prepared for inspection and the affects it has had on Airmen, Tech. Sgt. Lamont Butler, 437 MXS wheel and tire shop section chief, also sees how the improvement has affected the way Airmen are now looking at other areas for improvement.

"This trend has proven to be contagious," Sergeant Butler said. "The Airmen now actually see tangible results from thinking smarter. They are now looking at each shop-related task and brainstorming on how to improve it."

View the comments/letters page

The Boeing exhibit on the show grounds highlights technologies the company is implementing now and researching for the future to improve the environmental performance of its products and the air transportation system. In addition, Air India -- India's national flag carrier -- will display a new, fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300ER.

Boeing's defense showcase will include a daily flying demonstration by its advanced, combat-proven, multirole strike fighter -- the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The company and its customers will also display the C-17 Globemaster III military transport, F-15C Eagle fighter jet, the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, Harpoon and SLAM-ER missiles and ScanEagle unmanned air vehicle.

Boeing will hold a series of briefings on key programs and issues throughout the show. Each day, media should check the briefing schedule at the media centre and the Boeing media chalet, situated in Chalet Row B, for updates.

The Boeing schedule (follows in detail) begins on Monday, July 14 with a press conference at 0930 hosted by Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson. On the same day at 1100, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO Jim Albaugh and the leaders of the IDS businesses will discuss current defense trends and opportunities. On Tuesday, July 15, Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program, will hold a press conference at 0900.

    Note:  All times listed below are local to Farnborough

    Monday, July 14
    0930  Commercial Airplanes Overview -- Radlett Suite

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carson will discuss current market conditions and the demand for newer more efficient and environmentally progressive products.

1100 Integrated Defense Systems Presidents Panel -- Hatfield Room

Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Albaugh and the presidents of the individual IDS businesses will provide an overview of Boeing's defense business and opportunities.

1300 TACAIR: Positioning for a Changed Future -- Boeing Media Chalet

Dan Korte, vice president and general manager of Global Strike Systems, will brief on the state of tactical aviation, the challenges facing both military air forces and industry and the solutions offered by Boeing.

1400 Super Hornet -- Boeing Media Chalet

Bob Gower, vice president, F/A-18 and EA-18 Program, and U.S. Navy Captain Mark Darrah, program manager PMA-265, NAVAIR, will provide an update on the Block II F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Growler and discuss emerging opportunities in Europe and other international markets.

Tuesday, July 15

0900 787 Dreamliner -- Cody Room

Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of the 787, will discuss the status of the program after the successful power-on milestone.

1000 Bell Boeing, U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Osprey -- Hendon Room

V-22 Osprey briefing by Gen James F. Amos, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt Gen George J. Trautman, III, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Col Matthew D. Mulhern, V-22 Program Manager, PMA-275, Lt Col Paul P. Ryan, Commanding Officer, VMM-263 and Gene Cunningham, Bell Boeing V-22 program manager.

1100 Advanced Systems -- Boeing Media Chalet

Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Advanced Systems, will discuss technological advances in manned and unmanned aircraft, hypersonic vehicles, space, simulation and advanced logistics support.

1300 UK Chinook Through Life Customer Support -- Boeing Media Chalet

Jim O'Neill vice president and general manager Integrated Logistics and representatives from the RAF will discuss the UK Chinook TLCS program and share an unique insight into this performance-based logistics success story about improving fleet support and aircraft readiness, and reducing operator costs.

1300 Boeing Commercial Airplanes Environment Briefing -- Boeing Technology Exhibit

Boeing will outline progress on key environment initiatives.

1400 Mobility & Humanitarian Missions -- Boeing Media Chalet

Dave Bowman, vice president and general manager of Global Mobility Systems, and Chuck Allen, vice president and general manager of Rotorcraft Systems, will discuss the growing critical role of the C-17 and CH-47 in relief missions around the world.

1500 Networked Systems -- Boeing Media Chalet

Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network and Space Systems, will brief on Boeing's systems and solutions for network enabled operations.

Wednesday, July 16

1100 P-8A Poseidon -- Boeing Media Chalet

Tony Parasida, vice president and general manager ASW/ISR Systems and the U.S. Navy will provide an update on the P-8A Poseidon program.

1200 Apache Block III -- Boeing Media Chalet

Al Winn, vice president Boeing Apache Programs, will provide an update on the latest Apache Block III program.

1500 Growing Local Defense Markets -- Boeing Media Chalet

Boeing defense leaders will brief on international partnering, building an onshore presence and the importance of industrial participation. There will follow a panel discussion with Mark Kronenberg, vice president International Business Development, Turbjorn Sjogren, vice president International Support Systems, Mike Kurth, managing director Boeing Defence UK and Mohammed Fallatah, managing director Alsalam Aircraft.

Thursday, July 17

1000 EPX Multiple Intelligence Capabilities -- Boeing Media Chalet

Tony Parasida, vice president and general manager ASW/ISR Systems will discuss Boeing's proposed EPX solution for the US Navy.

1100 C-17B -- The Future of Airlift -- Boeing Media Chalet

Dave Bowman, vice president and general manager Global Mobility Systems will discuss the future development of the C-17B airlifter.

1300 C-130 AMP and Scalable Avionics Architecture -- Boeing Media Chalet

Phil Schwab, vice president of Business Development Support Systems, will provide an update on the C-130 AMP program and the Scalable Avionics Architecture being offered to international C-130 customers.

Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing operates the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing has customers in more than 90 countries around the world and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales. Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 160,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries. Total company revenues for 2007 were $66.4 billion.

SOURCE The Boeing Company

http://www.boeing.com