Aerospace

Boeing Reveals First of New Innovative Defense Factories

Created with the specific goal of producing advanced composite components for future combat aircraft.

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On September 12, the Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business segment of Boeing (NYSE: BA) presented its brand-new Sophisticated Composite Fabrication Center, which was created with the specific goal of producing advanced composite components for future combat aircraft.

Phantom Works, the exclusive research, development, and prototyping subsidiary of BDS will run the new facility in Mesa, Arizona, which will be a secure production facility. The 155,000-square-foot facility’s building phase is already finished, and this fall is when it will be completely operating.

The new Advanced Composite Fabrication Center and the factories that will follow it position Boeing to deliver the most digitally advanced, simply and efficiently produced, and intelligently supported aircraft to military customers.

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Leveraging best practices from recent new-start programs like the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, MQ-25 Stingray, T-7A Red Hawk, and proprietary efforts, the ACFC will enable Boeing to scale a platform-agnostic, modular, and flexible digital production system across future BDS programs, providing unprecedented speed, agility, and cost efficiency. Additional new factories supporting subsequent phases of production are under construction in the St. Louis region and are slated to come online over the next few years.

According to Steve Nordlund, vice president, and general manager of Boeing Phantom Works, “The ACFC capitalizes on the latest in digital engineering – from initial concept and design to the production floor and sustainment – and its capabilities are directly aligned with our customers’ need to design, build, and field advanced combat aircraft on dramatically accelerated timelines.”

Related Topics:Aerospace Boeing Boeing aircraft

Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

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The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.