What is Boeing?
Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, designs, manufactures, and sells aircraft, helicopters, rockets, satellites, telecommunications, and missiles in more than 150 countries.
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Brief HistoryFounded in 1916 by William Boeing, Boeing quickly grew into a major aerospace company. In 1958 (forty years after making their first plane), Boeing's first commercial jetliner, the 707, made its first passenger flight. In 1970, the 747 entered service. It was the first double-decker plane, and its long range, wide body, and resultingly large passenger capacity revolutionized the airline industry. Twenty-five years later, Boeing partnered with several international organizations to create Sea Launch, which provided commercial launch services from floating platforms. In 1997, Boeing bought McDonnell Douglas, the maker of the versatile and widely used DC-3. In December 2019, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft launched on its first Orbital Flight Test, but software problems forced an abort before reaching the ISS. In January 2021, the Boeing-built SLS core stage aborted an attempted static fire after only 67 seconds.
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Major Links
Locations
*At the time of publication, these are the locations that operate in the U.S.. This is not an exhaustive list of Boeing facilities.
United States⬇ |
Renton Factory
Renton, WA Boeing's Renton factory is currently dedicated to producing the 737 and military derivatives like the P-8 Poseidon. Amazingly, its specialized production line allows a 737 to be fully assembled in only nine days. In days past, Boeing 707, 727, and 757 aircraft were also built here. |
Boeing South Carolina
North Charleston, SC This (relatively) new Boeing production plant is dedicated to final assembly and delivery of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing's newest efficient ultra-long-range jetliner. Certain sections of the fuselage are manufactured onsite, and some are flown in using an extensively modified (and very wide) 747. |
Boeing Satellite Development Center
El Segundo, CA Initially the Hughes Space and Communications Company, this facility was bought by Boeing in 1995. It is now home to satellite design, manufacture, and support processes. An assortment of commercial and military satellites are built here; many are based on Boeing's versatile 702 satellite bus. |
Huntsville Research & Technology Center
Huntsville, AL Boeing's smaller Huntsville facility is home to operations and development for missile defense programs, ISS operations, and development of NASA's Space Launch System. It also serves as Boeing's hub for technology development in collaboration with a slew of academic institutions and research partners in the southeastern U.S. |
Huntington Beach Facility
Huntington Beach, CA Originally a McDonnell Douglas facility, Boeing now uses this center for research and design, with a focus on small satellite technology, cybersecurity, and unmanned underwater vehicles. Over the past few years Boeing has moved a significant portion of Huntington jobs elsewhere, but plans to continue operating the facility with a smaller workforce. |
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