Missile work looks to next step

Boeing poised for new phase once Alaska site starts

Thursday, August 05, 2004

By SHELBY G. SPIRES

Times Aerospace Writer shelbys@htimes.com

When a key missile defense site becomes active in Alaska this fall, Huntsville work on the multibillion-dollar program will not stop, a top Boeing Co. executive said Wednesday.

The Missile Defense Agency and Boeing are on track with the goal of activating the main missile defense site at Fort Greely, Alaska, said Peri Widener, Boeing senior executive in Huntsville. When that is complete, "the next generation or spiral of development will continue," she said.

The goal is to have the first interceptors in place by Oct. 1 in what the Missile Defense Agency calls the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. If all works well, the interceptors will be able to shatter incoming enemy ballistic missiles.

"The work won't stop that day, however. We will continue to improve" missile defense, Widener told reporters and editors during a meeting Wednesday at The Times.

Beyond the site activation planned in early October, Boeing and the Missile Defense Agency are working on a program to link all missile defense systems.

Huntsville engineers are developing and testing this program also, Widener said.

The plan is to link missile defense systems such as the Air Force Airborne Laser, the Navy's Aegis-equipped defense systems and Army ground systems such as the one in Fort Greely into one comprehensive shield, Widener said.

Boeing has about 1,300 people here who work on missile defense programs, Widener said.

The company has about 3,300 people on its payroll in North Alabama, including about 600 at its commercial rocket plant in Decatur.

The Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, which conducted an economic impact study for Boeing, found that 6,400 jobs in North Alabama and more than 9,000 statewide are tied to the aerospace giant.

The study shows Boeing operations in Alabama pump nearly $1.2 billion into the state's economy. The company's payroll, plus subcontractors and supplier jobs, account for about 1 percent of the gross state product.

"That's an amazing figure," Widener said.




Missile work looks to next step Boeing poised for new phase once Alaska site starts Thursday, August 05, 2004 By SHELBY G. SPIRES Times Aerospace Writer shelbys@htimes.com When a key missile defense site becomes active in Alaska this fall, Huntsville work on the multibillion-dollar program will not stop, a top Boeing Co. executive said Wednesday. The Missile Defense Agency and Boeing are on track with the goal of activating the main missile defense site at Fort Greely, Alaska, said Peri Widener, Boeing senior executive in Huntsville. When that is complete, "the next generation or spiral of development will continue," she said. The goal is to have the first interceptors in place by Oct. 1 in what the Missile Defense Agency calls the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. If all works well, the interceptors will be able to shatter incoming enemy ballistic missiles. "The work won't stop that day, however. We will continue to improve" missile defense, Widener told reporters and editors during a meeting Wednesday at The Times. Beyond the site activation planned in early October, Boeing and the Missile Defense Agency are working on a program to link all missile defense systems. Huntsville engineers are developing and testing this program also, Widener said. The plan is to link missile defense systems such as the Air Force Airborne Laser, the Navy's Aegis-equipped defense systems and Army ground systems such as the one in Fort Greely into one comprehensive shield, Widener said. Boeing has about 1,300 people here who work on missile defense programs, Widener said. The company has about 3,300 people on its payroll in North Alabama, including about 600 at its commercial rocket plant in Decatur. The Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, which conducted an economic impact study for Boeing, found that 6,400 jobs in North Alabama and more than 9,000 statewide are tied to the aerospace giant. The study shows Boeing operations in Alabama pump nearly $1.2 billion into the state's economy. The company's payroll, plus subcontractors and supplier jobs, account for about 1 percent of the gross state product. "That's an amazing figure," Widener said. Copyright 2004 al.com. All Rights Reserved.