Boeing’s decision to close its 767 line in Everett, Wash., (see above) could prove the salvation of its C-17 production facility in Long Beach, Calif. Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer James Bell said at a Miami conference earlier this week that the company might use the Long Beach plant to produce a 767 aerial refueling aircraft if Boeing gets the contract from the Air Force to build a KC-135 tanker replacement. The Los Angeles Times reports that a 777-based tanker would be built in Everett, though.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.

