Boeing takes another hit on Pegasus
A KC-46A Pegasus tanker refuels a USAF F-16 fighter. (Photo: Boeing)
Troubles with the vision system for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker programme continued to dog Boeing in Q4 2021 with a $402 million pre-tax charge, the US defence and aerospace group announced on 26 January.
On a more positive note, Q4 landmarks for Boeing Defense, Space & Security included a contract from US Special Operations Command for six MH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters; a contract extension from the UK MoD for Future Logistics Information Services; and an award from Royal Saudi Air Force to modernise Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.
Boeing also completed the first carrier tests for the MQ-25 Stingray tanker UAV and it started flight tests with the second uncrewed Loyal Wingman aircraft.
Sales and profits at Boeing Defense, Space & Security barely changed in 2021, with the former increasing by 1% to $26.54 billion and the latter rising by just $5 million to $1.54 billion.
The order backlog for Boeing Defense, Space & Security reached $60 billion by the end of 2021, with 33% coming from customers outside the US.
Group-wide, Boeing saw a 7% growth in full-year revenues to $62.28 billion in 2021 as overall losses improved from $11.94 billion to $4.29 billion.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
-
Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.
-
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.