Ted Colbert on Top Priorities for Boeing’s Defense Business

Ted Colbert, president and CEO of Boeing’s (NYSE: BA) defense, space and security business, said driving stability and predictability are his top priorities and advancing these priorities highlights the need to have a well-trained workforce and address supply chain challenges.

Colbert told Aviation Week in a podcast aired June 2 that BDS hired about 10,000 employees in 2022 with plans to employ another 15,000 personnel in 2023 and is working closely with its suppliers as part of efforts to achieve stability in operations.

“We’ve deployed talent into the supply chain to help with requirements consumptions, to help with equality, standard implementation. All those efforts are yielding benefits to us on a day-to-day basis,” he added.

The defense chief offered updates on the company’s programs, including the carrier-based MQ-25 unmanned aircraft system, VC-25B presidential aircraft, KC-46 aerial refueling tanker and the T-7 Red Hawk pilot training system.

For the T-7, Colbert said BDS has worked with the U.S. Air Force on the escape system and has carried out tests “that are very positive.”

“We’ll be flying the T-7, EMD flights will be happening in the summer. That’s the plan right now, and we’re very bullish on that,” he added.

Boeing is working on the T-7 program under a potential $9.2 billion contract awarded in 2018.

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