Troubled Skies: Boeing's Defense and Space Unit Gets a New Captain

Boeing's defense and space business has been struggling to stay afloat, and the company has decided to make a change at the top. The head of the division, Theodore "Ted" Colbert III, has been removed from his position and replaced temporarily by Steve Parker, the chief operating officer. This move comes as the company tries to recover from a series of setbacks, including a failed mission to the International Space Station and a string of unprofitable government contracts. The company is looking for a permanent replacement for Colbert, who has spent 15 years at Boeing, serving in various roles including chief information officer and leader of the global-services business. Colbert has been at the helm of the defense and space division for the past few years, and his departure is seen as an effort to shake things up and bring in fresh leadership.

The company is trying to restore trust with its customers and improve its performance. Kelly Ortberg, the new CEO of Boeing, has said in a memo that the company's priority is to "deliver on our commitments" and "meet the high standards expected of us." The company is facing a number of challenges, including a $6 billion loss in the defense and space division since the start of 2022. The Starliner capsule, which Boeing built for NASA, has been plagued by problems, including a failed mission to the International Space Station. NASA has decided that it is too risky for two astronauts to fly home in the capsule, so they will stay in space until February and ride back to Earth on a SpaceX capsule. The company is also struggling with unprofitable contracts with the Pentagon and NASA, including new Air Force One presidential planes and refueling tankers for the Air Force.

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