Boeing

Boeing was the recipient of the coveted 2003 Flight International Aerospace Industry Award. The award, which recognizes significant industry achievements of the past 12 months, was presented to Boeing's Homeland Security & Services group last night at a glittering ceremony in Paris.

Boeing received the Aerospace Industry Award in the "Infrastructure and Environment" category for its work with the Transportation Security Administration in helping significantly raise the level of security at over 440 airports throughout the United States. The Boeing-Siemens team worked closely with the TSA to meet its goal of federalizing the baggage screener workforce and screen all checked bags for explosives.

"This is a great tribute to the hard work of all those involved including our employees, the TSA, our partner Siemens, the airports, the airlines and our subcontractors. What we accomplished with the TSA, the largest single infrastructure upgrade in aviation history in just six months, was a significant achievement," said Rick Stephens, vice president and general manager of Homeland Security & Services, a division of Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems. "We all worked together to bring a far higher level of security to the flying public and helped raise confidence in aviation safety and security."

The Boeing-Siemens team installed more than 1,000 Explosives Detection Systems (EDS) and more than 4,500 Explosives Trace Detection machines, as well as trained more than 25,000 TSA employees in the use of the machines to electronically scan checked baggage.

The project encompassed airport operations analysis and planning; architectural and engineering work; design, construction, equipment installation and commissioning; field service support, and curriculum development and training.

In the course of the six-month program Boeing, which was selected because of its extensive experience as a lead systems integrator, worked with more than 3,000 stakeholders nationwide ranging from TSA headquarters to its Federal Security Directors, airport directors, airline representatives at every airport, major industry associations, Congress and local and regional governments.

Previously, because of its work on the airport security program, Boeing received the first U.S. Department of Transportation Prime Contractor of the Year award and was cited for its success in providing small and minority-owned businesses with opportunities to win subcontracts.