shajandr
4 hours ago
FADEC in electrical failure or electrical power surges - the FADEC system can fail - as it did in a lightning strike on a C-17 - which then fails the engine(s).
The AI 787 used FADEC 4 electrical engine control.
One possible hypothesis is that an electrical system prollem - surging, shorting, arcing, grounding, etc. - might have induced a FADEC failure on both GEnx engines causing them to fail and loss of thrust - with insufficient time to recycle/reboot the FADEC before impacting the ground. This is just one possible scenario that could explain both engines losing thrust simultaneously - in a primary electrical cause. Altho one source claims that each engine has a dedicated separate generator for its FADEC, the case of the C-17 losing all four engines due to a lightning strike shows that the FADEC is not totally isolated from the main electrical systems in some circumstances. If the FADEC hardware is grounded to the airframe with common ground to the main electricals of the aircraft, it could also be vulnerable to voltage surge originating from the main electricals that impact the airframe ground voltage, possibly failing the FADEC. Even if the FADEC can run entirely on dedicated engine generators, a fail due to a voltage spike might require a FADEC system reboot that could require more time than the AI plane had remaining.
This is all a guess.
https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1023829
https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/87535/why-does-an-engine-fail-if-its-fadec-fails
shajandr
7 hours ago
Some additional grist for DaMill:
https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2025/06/13/air-india-crash-expert-claims-rat-activation-suggests-aircraft-may-have-faced-power-failure.html
https://fl360aero.com/detail/the-story-b737-max-electrical-issue-hounds-boeing-as-latest-as-today-what-was-the-wiring-ewis-issue-during-re-certification-of-max-last-year/221
https://avm-mag.com/what-you-cant-see-can-hurt-you-how-to-protect-wiring
https://www.pogo.org/reports/tripwired-document-trail-of-faulty-airplane-wiring-demonstrates-need-for-comprehensive-review
https://www.devicetech.com/aerospace/wire-chafe-flight-safety-ewis/
Of course, any prollems with wiring, if they exist, should automatically be blamed on Spirit AeroSystems, which is now part of Boeing but was nott at the time of production of the AI 787 and can be used as a blameworthy scapegoat for any and all technical prollems on Boeing aircraft.
If only we had access to an elderly retired former aircraft mechanic who could spew unwarranted, unsubstantiated CONclusions and deflect any potential responsibility away from Boeing, such as claiming that the AI171 crash must be due to pilot/FO error by retracting flaps instead of landing gear based on viewing a grainy shot-off-a-computer screen video and determining that there could not be 5 degrees of flaps deployed per the uber-grainy, low-res shot of a computer screen displaying a computer screen image of a video captured from the computer screen by a cellphone and posted. If only we had access to that elderly ex-grease monkey and his deep hangar queen experience to tell us whether any type of electrical failure could result in an uncommanded (by the cockpit) reduction of engine thrust or even an auto-reduction to idle.
Where can we find an old grease monkey with all the immediate-butt-wronGGG unsupported knee-jerk CONclusions to answer this question? Shirley there must be at least one who pisses away retirement munny on pennyscams and reads iHub who can provide/blurt~OUTT his CONclusions on this question (and also provide legal insight on complex semiCONductor patent litigation from his deep personal knowledge and experience in that area too). Even if accompanied by emotional, hand-waving blame diversion onto Spirit AeroSystems (possibly also operating as a "pair of hands" for Micron and Samsung).
Note: I am nott asserting that an electrical system failure is a root or primary cause of the AI crash. All I am stating is that, so far the evidence that has been reported is nott inCONsistent with such hypothesis. Eventually the relevant official investigation(s) will publish their findings on this incident. Until then, just blame the pilot and FO who were prolly undisclosed SpiritAero CONtractors moonlighting from their Air India yobbs.
Another of Spirit Aero's fuck-ups - this one on a Boeing 747:
"The four-year NTSB investigation concluded with the approval of the Aircraft Accident Report on August 23, 2000, ending the most extensive, complex, and costly air disaster investigation in U.S. history up to that time.[8][9] The report's conclusion was that the probable cause of the accident was the explosion of flammable fuel vapors in the center fuel tank. Although it could not be determined with certainty, the likely ignition source was a short circuit.[2]. Problems with the aircraft's wiring were found, including evidence of arcing in the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wiring that enters the tank. The FQIS on TWA Flight 800 is known to have been malfunctioning; the captain remarked about "crazy" readings from the system about two minutes and 30 seconds before the aircraft exploded." [I wunder whether the TWA800 doomed passengers, or those on the previous flight of the 747, had noticed any prollems with their seat overhead light, FA call button, AC, etc.]
For illustrative hypothetical purposes only (images courtesy of Spirit AeroWiring SubCONtractors, S.A. de C.V.)
shajandr
1 day ago
Note the four conditions in which the RAT is automatically deployed - note condition three - electrical failure:
Also, from other videos and text, the 787 has automatic configuration control. It will not allow the pilots to take off unless the flaps and slats are properly set for the takeoff conditions (weight, runway length, air density/temp) AND the system will not allow the pilot(s) to retract flaps manually at takeoff with~OUTT the gear already being stowed first AND the flight conditions (forward speed, climb/sink rate, AOA, etc.) being correct for that post-takeoff climb~OUTT. For the Air India 787 the proper configuration is 5 degrees flaps and LE slats deployed, so on the grainy video it is not possible to determine if the flaps were 5 degrees deployed or fully retracted. As just stated, the 787 autoconfiguration software will not allow a takeoff roll unless the proper configuration for that flight is detected AND it will not let the pilot manually retract flaps unless the measured flight parameters allow it and it would be AFTER gear is stowed. Any attempt to do so manually produces impossible-to-ignore multiple bright REDD lights and master alarm lights on the cockpit console and ear-splitting audio warning tones and annunciators.
Most recent commentators have both visually and audibly identified RAT deployment on the Air India 787 after lift off. Again, there are four conditions where the RAT is automatically deployed - the third one is electrical failure to the cockpit and the other three are combination hydraulic failures either in conjunction with electrical failure (such as to the four electric hydraulic pumps - but not the two engine-driven hydraulic pump) or both hydraulic and electrical failure secondary to dual engine failures.
Note from video above that the center hydraulic system REQUIRES electric pump function to provide hydraulics to, among other things, the gear retraction. Engine hydraulics only are claimed to be unable to effect gear retraction, so an electrical failure could result in a lack of center hydraulic system pressure and an inability to retract the gear according to these claims.
Some related comments:
This is info from internet sources, so take that into CONsideration. Butt, if true, it suggests that the configuration (slats and 5 degree flaps deployed) was correct and a post-liftoff retraction of flaps is very unlikely - as the software makes it very hard and absolutely intentional for a manual command to retract flaps before gear is up and unless the sensed flight regime is within the permitted envelope.
This is just grist for hypotheses and is, as always, subject to change as more information becomes available.
There is a question that I have nott seen answered: can an electrical failure disrupt engine controls so that, e.g., the engines retard to idle uncommanded from the cockpit. Anybuddy know that answer? If it can, then that is another item that is at least CONsistent with the primary fault being electrical. Shirley, some blowhard retired mechanic can answer this question. Or mebbe Spirit did the wiring on this aircraft and chaffing of wires resulting in shorts and/or grounds because ... well ... it can't be Boeing's fault because its manufacturing is, as we know, flawless, especially with regard to electric wiring and wiring harnesses both of which are unchaffable if done by Boeing because Boeing never makes mistakes..
Accidents are impossible until they happen. This is why even top notch nuclear engineers did not believe the RBMK reactor design could ever explode (at least from a nuclear reaction; hydrogen explosions were still thought possible); it was thought physically impossible, until it happened. And the test-related electrical failure of the Reactor 4 disaster at Chernobyl was the primary cause of that catastrophe.
https://www.reddit.com/r/chernobyl/comments/mflxy2/why_did_the_engineers_believe_it_was_impossible/
Butt then again, mebbe the Soviet Union's Ministry of Energy and Electrification subbed ~OUTT the operator management of the test to Spirit and they wronGGGly installed the reactor door plug.
And remember, when you absolutely, positively must reject any hypothesis that may lead to an error by Boeing, just shout "Spirit did it!" numerous times and shake your fist while waving your other hand and possibly a foot also.
Prolly eventually the cause of the AI crash will be explained, butt right now the best available are hypotheses that are nott inCONsistent with the data (incl. the observations cited in the videos above).
shajandr
3 days ago
https://www.yahoo.com/news/video-shows-nothing-working-air-180001190.html
Electrical services on the Air India flight that crashed with 242 passengers onboard were not working hours beforehand, it has been claimed.
A passenger on an earlier flight, named on social media as Akash Vatsa, posted videos showing facilities such as air-conditioning, service buttons and television touch screens not responding when he tried to operate them.
He can be heard saying in the clip: “Nothing is working, nothing, not even the light.”
https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft-maintenance-technology/aircraft-technology/commercial-airline/news/21125738/faa-faces-dilemma-over-737-max-wiring-flaw-that-boeing-missed
https://aviationweek.com/boeing-harnessing-problem-kc-46-tanker
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/miami-herald-sunday/20240825/281956023123322
https://airlinegeeks.com/2024/03/11/wiring-issue-latest-of-max-troubles/#
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/SAFO13006.pdf
https://apnews.com/article/3cb990b1081d943d980021b3cc627f02
Boeing needs to hire better electricians across many of its production lines.
https://spacenews.com/parachute-and-wiring-issues-to-delay-starliner-crewed-test-flight/
No worries, I'm shure the self-denoted IP law expert on NLST (who is deeeep underwater there in that turd) will just blame Spirit yett again - pure bogosity:
Jetmek_03052
3 days ago
We'll have to wait for the FDR and CVR to be recovered and analyzed before we truly know what happened to this 787 aircraft.
But simply looking at the video of the takeoff? It certainly looks as if there were no flaps extended. Both in the video and still shots I have seen, I do not see any flaps extended.
As the aircraft lifted off and proceeded, you can see the flight path droop and then the nose lift - as if the pilot was trying to regain the altitude lost. This to me signifies either a loss of thrust from the engines, or not enough lift being generated by the wing. If the flaps were not extended, that would be the cause - certainly at the full passenger and fuel load it apparently carried. But they would have had a take-off configuration alarm blaring during the take-off roll. Doesn't make sense.
Now, if they lifted off and the pilot flying called for the landing gear retraction....and the first officer retracted the flaps in error? THAT would do it too. But I really do not see any visual evidence of the flaps ever being out.
We'll know exactly what caused it - eventually.
If it was the flaps not being out, someone with the proper equipment to look closely at the video will be able to immediately tell.
Bull_Dolphin
3 days ago
On Fidelity:
Update: Air India Boeing 787 Crashes Shortly After Take-Off From Ahmedabad
MT NEWSWIRES 6:45 AM ET 6/12/2025
Symbol Last Price Change
BA 214down 0 (0%)
QUOTES AS OF 04:10:00 PM ET 06/11/2025
06:45 AM EDT, 06/12/2025 (MT Newswires) -- A Boeing(BA) 787-8 aircraft operated by Air India crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, en route London'sGatwick airport, Air India said Thursday on social media platform X.
Boeing (BA) shares were down over 7% in recent premarket activity on Thursday.
Air India said Flight AI171 was carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals. The air carrier said injured are being transported to the hospitals.
Boeing (BA) said the company was "aware of initial reports" and is "working to gather more information."
MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.
Bull_Dolphin
2 weeks ago
On Fidelity:
Jefferies Adjusts Price Target on Boeing to $250 From $230, Maintains Buy Rating
MT NEWSWIRES 10:23 AM ET 6/4/2025
Symbol Last Price Change
BA 213.27up -0.16 (-0.075%)
QUOTES AS OF 10:35:33 AM ET 06/04/2025
10:23 AM EDT, 06/04/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Boeing(BA) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $215.36, according to analysts polled by FactSet.
(MT Newswires covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www.mtnewswires.com/contact-us)
Price: 212.38, Change: -1.13, Percent Change: -0.53
MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.
Bull_Dolphin
2 weeks ago
Deutsche Bank's turn. On fidelity this morning:
Deutsche Bank Adjusts PT on Boeing to $235 From $217, Maintains Buy Rating
MT NEWSWIRES 5:39 AM ET 6/3/2025
Symbol Last Price Change
BA 211.47up 0 (0%)
QUOTES AS OF 04:10:00 PM ET 06/02/2025
05:39 AM EDT, 06/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Boeing(BA) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $215.36, according to analysts polled by FactSet.
(MT Newswires covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www.mtnewswires.com/contact-us)
MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.
Bull_Dolphin
2 weeks ago
On Fidelity this morning:
Update: BofA Securities Upgrades Boeing to Buy From Neutral, Raises Price Target to $260 From $185
MT NEWSWIRES 11:20 AM ET 6/2/2025
Symbol Last Price Change
BA 208.465down +1.145 (+0.5523%)
QUOTES AS OF 11:27:44 AM ET 06/02/2025
11:20 AM EDT, 06/02/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updated to include BofA's commentary)
BofA Securities upgraded Boeing(BA) to buy from neutral and raised its price target to a Street-high of $260, citing increased confidence in the company's turnaround under the leadership of Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg.
The company's aircraft have become a preferred trade tool for the Trump Administration, as evidenced by recent deals with the UK (32 aircraft), Qatar (210), UAE (28), and China's decision to lift its ban on Boeing(BA) planes, analyst Ronald Epstein wrote in a Monday note.
These developments could shape the blueprint for future global trade negotiations, favoring the company, the analyst added.
Boeing has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $214.60, according to analysts polled by FactSet.
(MT Newswires covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www.mtnewswires.com/contact-us)
Price: 208.80, Change: +1.51, Percent Change: +0.73
MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.
bar1080
3 weeks ago
"Problem Solved? Boeing Redesigns 777X Thrust Links"
"Boeing has reportedly redesigned the engine thrust links for its long-delayed Boeing 777X widebody aircraft. According to a report by Aviation Week, the American aircraft manufacturer plans to install them later this summer.
Thrust links transfer loads between the engine and the wing structure. The redesigned thrust links will address a fatigue issue in the load-bearing components, which had previously caused a four-month delay in certification testing."
Boeing has since addressed the issue and resumed certification flights in mid-January 2025. According to the new report by Aviation Week, the plane maker now plans to install redesigned thrust links as part of a broader set of design improvements for the 777X. Initially planned for certification in 2020, the Boeing 777X was intended to be the next generation of the popular 777 widebody aircraft, with improvements in efficiency, range, and passenger comfort.
However, the Boeing 777X certification has faced multiple delays due to various technical challenges encountered during testing. One of the major setbacks occurred in 2020 when an “uncommanded pitch event” caused the aircraft’s nose to rise unexpectedly without pilot input, resulting in years of delays. More issues emerged in mid-August 2024, when thrust link failures were discovered during flight testing, halting the certification process once again. These delays were further worsened by a labor strike later that year.
Notably, Lufthansa is expected to be the first airline in the world to receive the 777X once it completes certification with both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), according to Kelly Ortberg, president and CEO of Boeing. The Boeing 777X family includes the 777-8, 777-8F (freighter), and 777-9 variants. Lufthansa has ordered 20 of the Boeing 777-9 and seven Boeing 777-8F aircraft for its cargo division, Lufthansa Cargo."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/problem-solved-boeing-redesigns-777x-thrust-links/ar-AA1FokEA?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=e1981a855ca1409ef552ed6d2c19097e&ei=28
Oleblue
1 month ago
Boeing inks record-breaking deal for Qatar Airways to buy up to 210 planes
By Kevin Breuninger, CNBC • Published May 14, 2025 • Updated 2 hours ago
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U.S. President Donald Trump, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on May 14, 2025.
Brian Snyder | Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on May 14, 2025.
Boeing secured an agreement to sell Qatar Airways up to 210 aircraft.
Qatar Airways also signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for more than 400 engines to power the Boeing planes.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg appeared alongside President Donald Trump in Doha for a signing ceremony on the deal for the 787 Dreamliner and 777X planes.
The deal could draw more scrutiny toward President Donald Trump's defense of Qatar's offer to gift the U.S. a luxury 747 jet that will act as the new Air Force One.
Boeing and Qatar Airways on Wednesday announced a deal for the Middle Eastern airline to buy up to 210 jets, notching the U.S. planemaker's largest-ever order of widebody aircraft.
The order — the biggest in Qatar Airways' history — includes 130 of Boeing's 787 Dreamliners and 30 of its much-delayed 777-9s, with options for up to 50 more planes, the companies said in a press release.
Qatar Airways also signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for more than 400 engines to power the Boeing planes, those companies said in another joint release.
The purchase of widebody aircraft engines is the largest in GE Aerospace's history, according to the release.
Boeing and Qatar Airways struck the agreement during President Donald Trump's state visit with the emir of Qatar, part of the president's four-day tour of the Middle East.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg appeared alongside Trump at the Amiri Diwan in Doha for the signing ceremony.
"This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation," Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in a statement. "This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone."
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope said the "record-breaking order" with Qatar Airways "solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading widebody airplane family at its center."
The 426-seat, twin-engine 777-9 is part of Boeing's 777X series, which has yet to produce any deliveries and has still not been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The White House earlier Wednesday valued the plane deal at $96 billion, and said it will support 154,000 U.S. jobs annually and more than one million domestic jobs in total.
Boeing and Qatar Airways, however, said the deal will result in roughly 400,000 jobs in the U.S.
Boeing's website says it currently employs around 170,000 people globally.
"It's the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing," Trump said after Ortberg signed the agreement at the Amiri Diwan.
The deal could be a boon for Boeing, which has not posted a profit since 2018.
The plane maker has been beset by major safety concerns, manufacturing defects, cost overruns and a nearly two-month-long machinist strike last year.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/boeing-strikes-largest-ever-787-jet-order-with-qatar-airways-white-house-says/3745483/
Weekly Chart
DiscoverGold
2 months ago
Boeing Stock Glides Lower on China Delivery Halt
By: Schaeffer's Investment Research | April 15, 2025
🔸 China suspended jet deliveries from Boeing amid a trade war with the U.S.
🔸 BA is down over 8% since the start of April
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) is pumping the breaks on its recent rally. The security was last seen down 1.8% at $156.50, after Bloomberg reported that China ordered carriers to suspend jet deliveries amid the trade war with the U.S. The country's top three airliners, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, had planned to take delivery of a combined total of 179 Boeing planes in the next two years.
It's worth noting that Morgan Stanley stated there was minimal downside risk from China's delivery halt. The country only makes up 6% of total Boeing deliveries, compared to 10 years ago when it was easily 20% on any given year.
During this past month's tariff-related volatility, Boeing stock saw a sharp selloff followed by an extended bounce starting April 7. Familiar pressure at the $160 level seems to have kept the rally in check, however. The equity is historically an April underperformer, down 8.5% since the start of the month, and also carrying an 11.9% year-to-date deficit.
Calls have been more popular than usual in the options pits. BA's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 2.02 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) ranks higher than 84% of readings from the past year. Should some of this optimism start to unwind, it could provide further headwinds.
Read Full Story »»»
DiscoverGold
DiscoverGold
2 months ago
Don't Bet on a Boeing (BA) Stock Rebound Just Yet
By: Schaeffer's Investment Research | April 2, 2025
• Boeing stock is one of the worst to own in April, historically
• The company reportedly made "sweeping changes" after a rough few years
Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) has seen no shortage of unpleasant headlines this past year, though the airplane manufacturer scored a contract to build the U.S. Air Force's latest fighter jet. Today, CEO Kelly Ortberg, per a written testimony seen by Reuters, will tell the Senate Commerce Committee that the company "made serious missteps in recent years" but enacted "sweeping changes to the people, processes, and overall structure."
For Boeing stock to make a meaningful rebound, however, it will also have to battle a period of weak seasonality. The equity is the only aerospace name on Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White's list of worst S&P 500 Index (SPX) stocks to own in April. According to White's data, the shares finished April lower seven out of 10 times in the last decade, averaging a 4.5% loss.
From its current perch at $170.22, a similar move would put the equity just above $162. Though Boeing Stock is currently on track to snap a three-day losing streak, it carries a 10% year-over-year deficit.
An unwinding of optimism from bullish options traders could provide headwinds as well. BA's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 2.12 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) ranks higher than 96% of readings from the past year.
Read Full Story »»»
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bar1080
3 months ago
What will the new Boeing F-47 look like?
Boeing wins contract for NGAD fighter jet, dubbed F-47
"The sixth-generation fighter, which will replace the F-22 Raptor, will be designated the F-47, Trump said. It will have “state-of-the-art stealth technologies [making it] virtually unseeable,” and will fly alongside multiple autonomous drone wingmen known as collaborative combat aircraft.
“It’s something the likes of which nobody has ever seen before,” Trump said in an Oval Office announcement with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and Lt. Gen. Dale White, the Air Force’s military deputy for acquisition, technology and logistics. “In terms of all the attributes of a fighter jet, there’s never been anything even close to it, from speed to maneuverability to what it can have [as] payload. And this has been in the works for a long period of time.”
“America’s enemies will never see it coming,” he continued.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/03/21/boeing-wins-contract-for-ngad-fighter-jet-dubbed-f-47/
bar1080
3 months ago
Boeing shares continue soaring after huge defense contract win.
"Investing.com -- It was announced Friday that Boeing (NYSE:BA) has been awarded the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet contract, sending the company's shares up more than 5%.
In contrast, shares of Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) dropped more than 4% on Friday.
"The F-47 will be the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built," said U.S. President Donald Trump. "An experimental version of the plane has secretly been flying for almost 5 years and we're confident that it massively overpowers the capabilities of any other nation."
The contract, worth more than $20 billion, will see Boeing develop a crewed next-generation fighter designed to operate alongside drones."
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/boeing-stock-gains-trump-admin-163453611.html