Boeing, Lockheed unite launch vehicle businesses

Boeing and Lockheed Martin have combined their expendable launch vehicle businesses, forming a joint venture called United Launch Alliance.The two defense industry giants said today that ULA will combine the production, engineering, test and launch operations associated with government launches of Boeing Delta and Lockheed Martin Atlas rockets.Michael Gass was named ULA president and chief executive officer, and Daniel Collins was named chief operating officer.ULA will be headquartered in Denver, where most engineering and administrative activities will be consolidated, according to the joint announcement. Major assembly and integration operations will be located primarily at Delta’s manufacturing and assembly facility in Decatur, Ala.“With this merger we have combined the launch capabilities of Boeing and Lockheed Martin to create a very capable family of rockets that will support our country’s space needs for the 21st century,” said Jim McNerney, chairman, president and CEO of Boeing.“On behalf of all Lockheed Martin employees and shareholders, I would like to thank the many government agencies that were involved in reviewing this very complex and important transaction,” said Bob Stevens, chairman, president and CEO of LockheedMartin.He said the formation of ULA is essential for the country to meet its requirements for assured access to space in the 21st century. “I have the fullest confidence that ULA and its employees will meet our country’s launch needs in a cost effective and reliable manner. This is clearly an important day for our nation.”Boeing is a major manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems.Chicago-based Boeing has more than 156,000 employees in the United States and 67 countries. Total revenues for fiscal 2005 were $54.8 billion.Lockheed Martin, based in Bethesda, Md., has about 140,000 employees worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported fiscal 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.