Boeing

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Oct. 13, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced its delivery of the 20,000th Combat Survivor Evader Locator (CSEL) communications system to the joint services, strengthening their ability to reach and rescue isolated military personnel.

CSEL is the U.S. Department of Defense's combat search and rescue communications program of record. In March, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $33 million full-rate production contract for an additional 3,939 CSEL radios and supporting equipment, bringing the total number of radios under contract to more than 35,000 units.

"CSEL enables rescue forces to quickly and securely locate, authenticate and communicate with isolated personnel for timely recovery operations," said Brenda Velasquez, Boeing CSEL program manager. "CSEL has proven itself in hostile environments as a critical resource to help bring the warfighter home. Boeing is working to deliver this radio system as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of those who defend our nation."

Boeing developed the CSEL system under contract to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Currently, Boeing is conducting planned program improvements under contract to the U.S. Air Force Electronics Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.