Boeing HQ
Today’s key story focuses about management succession and a new candidate for the Boeing CEO job, former Rockwell-Collins CEO Kelly Ortberg. He joins insiders Stephanie Pope, current Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO, Pat Shanahan, Spirit AeroSystems CEO who has prior Boeing experience, and current Boeing Board Chair Steve Mollenkopf, the former CEO at Qualcom, as candidates for the leadership role. Boeing’s three division heads acquitted themselves well at Farnborough last week, focusing on operational improvements and customer discussions at the show.
A new $16.8 million contract to further improve the KC46-A operational capabilities was awarded to Boeing, including improvements to the Onboard Performance Tool software to facilitate rapid mission launches. The improvements will focus on cargo loading and takeoff and landing data for flight planning, enabling rapid response.
Southwest Airlines is signaling a major shift, that could include a reduction in 737 MAX orders, according to View from the Wing. Apparently the math regarding fleet utilization enhancements and new capacity additions doesn’t add up to the order book.
A view inside the 777X is featured in another story regarding the aircraft that finally started FAA certification flights and is closing in on a late 2025 or early 2026 certification, depending on who you believe. Boeing is looking at the former and some key customers the latter as their views of a likely certification date differ.
Finally, a hot test was performed on the thruster system at the ISS, using 27 of the 28 thrusters to confirm whether the helium leaks causing difficulties can be overcome. The Flight Readiness Review will likely occur this week, followed quickly by a decision to return to Earth. With the capsule’s limit extended from 45 to 90 days, the next critical date is September 5th, by which another life extension must be granted or the astronauts returned to earth.
The article makes it clear that there is ample capacity in the thrusters for the de-orbit burn, but with the service module burning up on re-entry, the only viable test process is to have the capsule remain at the space station while the impact of helium leaks is investigated. The Starliner has enough helium, even with leaks, to power the thrusters and return home with sufficient margins, but remotely diagnosing faults is difficult without simulations and tests. Hopefully the results and reviews will begin soon.
Links to today’s key stories follow:
- The Boeing CEO search just roped in a big aerospace name – Quartz
- US Air Force awards contract to Boeing to boost KC-46A tanker aircraft’s operational capabilities – Global Defense News
- See what passengers can expect onboard Boeing’s upcoming 777X plan as it inches coser to certification – Business Insider
- Southwest Airlines signals major shift: drastic reduction in Boeing orders coming in September? – View from the Wing
- CFT Continues safely: Starliner and the commercial crew return process – Space Scout
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