Boeing

Boeing Names New J-UCAS X-45 Program Manager

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has named David M. Koopersmith vice president and program manager of the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) X-45 Program.

Koopersmith assumes responsibility for the company's highly successful X-45 program at a crucial time. With 50 X-45A flights completed so far, Boeing will transition from the advanced technology phase and introduce the more capable X-45C system.

"Dave Koopersmith will lead the J-UCAS X-45 program as it matures from basic demonstration systems to robust operational assessment demonstrations," said Darryl Davis, Global Strike Solutions vice president. "The X-45C is critical to the warfighter because it provides a highly affordable, survivable system that can identify, strike, and destroy enemy threats without any risk to American pilots."

The X-45C will be 39 feet long with a 49-foot wingspan, cruise at 0.80 Mach at an altitude of 40,000 feet, carry a 4,500 pound weapon payload, and fly a combat radius of more than 1,200 nautical miles. The first X-45C will be completed in 2006 and flown in a U.S. government operational assessment beginning in 2007.

Prior to this assignment, Koopersmith led the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program, a $4 billion program. He has more than 25 years of program management, engineering, business development and production experience on numerous military aircraft programs like the AV-8B Harrier II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. During his F/A-18E/F assignment, he received the Excellence in Acquisition Award by the United States Navy Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft.

Koopersmith holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a member of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and International Council on Systems Engineering.

J-UCAS X-45 is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy/Boeing effort to demonstrate the technical feasibility, military utility and operational value of an unmanned air combat system for the Air Force and the Navy. Operational missions for the services may include persistent strike; penetrating electronic attack; suppression of enemy air defenses; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.

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For further information:
Bill Barksdale
Boeing Air Force Systems
office: 314-232-0860
mobile: 314- 707-3294
william.a.barksdale@boeing.com
Chris Haddox
Boeing Air Force Systems
office: 314-234-6447
mobile: 314-707-8891
chris.d.haddox@boeing.com