A Boeing 737 MAX 10
Photo by: Boeing
Giant US aerospace and defence group Boeing on Tuesday reported its aircraft and spacecraft delivery numbers during the first quarter of this year. The report included both commercial and military systems, and both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. It cautioned that the information on its deliveries was not considered final until its financial results for the quarter were issued.
Regarding commercial aircraft, the group delivered 130 airliners in this period. These comprised 113 Boeing 737s (all of them versions of the MAX family), one 767, four 777s, eleven 787s, as well as the very last 747, the original Jumbo jet.
The range of military aircraft delivered was wider, but the numbers were much fewer. Regarding fixed-wing aircraft deliveries, these totalled 12. This number was composed of two F-15 fighters, seven F/A-18 fighter-bombers, three P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and one KC-46 air-to-air refuelling tanker. The specific versions of the F-15 and F/A-18 delivered were not disclosed.
Regarding helicopter deliveries, these came to 26, all military. They comprised 20 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, subdivided into seven new-builds and 13 remanufactured examples. The AH-64E was the only model of the Apache currently in production.
The remaining six helicopters were all CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift and multimission machines. Again, these were subdivided into new-build (five) and remanufactured (one) examples. As with the fighters, Boeing did not disclose which specific versions of the Chinook were delivered. The current main production models are the CH-47F and the MH-47G.
As for spacecraft, during the first quarter, Boeing delivered three commercial and civil satellites. The group also produces military satellites, but delivered none during this period.
Boeing is also starting production of the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter, for US Air Force strategic security missions within the US itself (specifically, the protection of intercontinental ballistic missile silos). This machine is based on the AW139 commercial helicopter, designed and manufactured by Italy’s Leonardo group. No MH-139As were delivered during the first quarter of this year.