The Boeing Co. [BA] may receive a $400 million-to-$550 million order from Intelsat Ltd., which would have the Chicago firm build up to four satellites, The Wall Street Journal reported.
No final deal has been signed, but negotiations are progressing and may conclude in a few weeks.
Boeing can use the business, which would expand Boeing’s government-heavy satellite production concentration into the private area. Boeing commercial airliner customers have faced tough times, ranging from travel cutbacks to gyrating fuel prices to terrorist-caused fear of flying, and a few orders for Boeing planes have been canceled.
Further, President Obama and a Democratic-led Congress may slash missile defense programs that Boeing leads, including the Airborne Laser, Ground-based Missile Defense and European Missile Defense. (Please see story in this issue.)
As well, the Army Future Combat System, a giant $200 billion program to acquire new vehicles, aircraft, communications and more, has encountered criticisms recently, including by some members of Congress. Boeing and SAIC lead the FCS program.