Boeing

In a keynote address to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics today in Wash., D.C., Boeing Chairman and CEO Phil Condit called on the aerospace industry to rethink its vision given the fundamental transformation being undertaken by the United States Department of Defense and others fighting the global war on terrorism.

Condit said that new challenges presented by maintaining security in a radically changing world present opportunities for industry leaders. Referring to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Condit said, "I believe that single day gives us reason to stay ahead, to lead, to stand guard, and to stay ever vigilant."

As aerospace leaders focus on supporting and aiding the Department of Defense in its transformation to address 21st-century security needs, Condit called on the industry to share a common vision and to use information technology to change fundamentally the way the industry operates.

"Today information technology, high-bandwidth communication, and integrated infrastructures continue to dramatically alter how we do business. But the aerospace industry can do much more. We can do far better with shorter acquisition periods, with electronic transactions, with common standards, with sharing solutions between commercial and military sectors," he said.

"The 21st century will require all elements of our infrastructure -- economic, diplomatic, financial, legal, law enforcement, and intelligence -- to cooperate, collaborate, and communicate seamlessly and globally," Condit added.

Full text of Condit's remarks.