Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) has sold five 747-8s to Volga-Dnepr, the Russian air cargo company. The freighters, priced at a total of $1.4 billion, are scheduled for delivery between 2010 and 2013. Volga also secured the option to buy five more. According to the president of V-D, this is the largest Russian private plane purchase in history.
Boeing and Eurofighter are in the second round of their dogfight as South Korea opened the second phase of its procurement program for a new combat aircraft. In 2002, Boeing had won the first round and supplied the country with forty of its F-15K planes for $5.5 billion. Now, South Korea is prepared to order twenty more planes for delivery in 2010-2012. Eurofighter believes its Typhoon model is a stronger candidate now that it has been produced and deployed in other countries. However, The Korean Times quotes military sources as saying that Boeing has the inside track because of the previous order. A decision is expected next February.
In Kuwait, ALAFCO has ordered twelve Boeing 787-8s and six 737-800s. At sticker price, the orders would be worth $2.26 billion. ALAFCO, the Aviation Lease and Finance Company, is publicly traded on the Kuwaiti exchange.
Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) has unwrapped a new long range strike missile, the P44, launchable from its multiple launch platform. The 220 lb. weapon has no minimum effective range and can strike ground targets up to 70 km. away. Lockheed claims it will be especially valuable against mobile rocket launchers. The missile incorporates its latest seeker technology, which will make it effective even in adverse weather conditions.
Lockheed Martin has also won additional orders for its Arrowhead electronic optical targeting and night vision system for the Apache helicopters from the U.S. Army. The $311 million order includes 158 new units and spare parts. Orders are scheduled for delivery through December of 2009.
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