ST. LOUIS, May 20, 2009 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received a $48.9 million contract from the U.S. Navy for development and testing of a Distributed Targeting (DT) system for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter.

This new targeting capability is part of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Network Centric Warfare Upgrades program and F/A-18E/F Flight Plan, a technology-insertion program that ensures the Block II Super Hornet will stay ahead of known and emerging threats through 2025 and beyond.

“Distributed targeting is a powerful new tool for the warfighter and another increase in capability for the Super Hornet, in line with the F/A-18E/F Flight Plan,” said Rick Martin, Boeing F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Flight Plan program manager. “Boeing will continue to work with the Navy as this new system moves forward to ensure our men and women in uniform have the capability they need.”

The DT capability utilizes onboard hardware and software processing to produce precise targeting solutions.

Development of the DT system began in February at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and at Harris Corp. in Melbourne, Fla. The DT development program will culminate with Navy flight tests in September 2010 at the Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake, Calif.

The Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 390 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.