Gazetny Pereulok, 17/9, 7-th fl., 103009, Moscow, Russia

Boeing has been directly cooperating with Russian aerospace enterprises since 1992, when a science and technology center was opened in Moscow. But the beginning of the business contacts dates much farther back. It was in the early 70’s that the Boeing management first discussed with high-ranking officials from the former USSR possible scientific and technical cooperation in the commercial aviation field. The historical Soyuz-Apollo docking (the command module of the American spaceship was constructed by Boeing staff) laid a foundation for further common projects in space research.

For the last seven years, Boeing has invested 1 billion dollars into joint research projects with Russian partners. The cooperation covers a wide range of areas. It includes research in the fields of flight safety and aviation technologies, development of new materials for the aircraft construction industry, support for Russian airlines. An International space station is being constructed and the Sea Launch project implemented in the framework of this cooperation. The work on these and other programs is of mutually beneficial character and is dominated by the true partnership spirit.

Fruitful cooperation between Boeing and the Tupolev Complex in the framework of NASA high-speed aircraft research program lasted several years. This work was initiated in 1994 by the upgrading of a Tu-144 supersonic passenger plane to a flying laboratory. The program was of great help in creating new jobs and provided unique data to support the theory in such areas of the supersonic flight as streamline factors, structural temperature stresses, the qualities of materials, noise, engine operation and flight control features. All the data was received experimentally, thus making the research more valuable. The research results will certainly be taken into account both in Russia and the US during the development and construction of a new commercial supersonic jet of the new generation.

Another sphere of our joint activities with Russian aviation plants comprises design engineering. A design center was opened in Moscow in 1998 under the Boeing Science and Technology Center. Several important joint projects have since been implemented, including re-designing of some crucial parts for Boeing-777. Dozens of gifted engineers from the Ilyushin Aviation Complex took part in this project. All of them, by the way, had been taught state-of-the-art computer design methods in line with the Boeing standards. There are now 45 Russian specialists of this level, and their number in Boeing’s Moscow Design Center is going to grow.

Recent years have seen wider research by Russian and Boeing scientists in production technologies. Software for design optimization of passenger airplane equipment developed by experts from Voronezh and Moscow is already in operation at Boeing plants.

Joint research in commercial flight safety has been carried out with scientists from TsAGI, the Ilyushin Complex and other Russian institutions. Eleven seminars on flight safety have been organized by Boeing and the Russian aviation authorities in Moscow and Seattle, and a “round table” conference on modern air traffic systems has been held with representatives of the Federal Air Transport Service regional departments.

A detailed study of airports in Siberia and the Far East was carried out. Our joint efforts have brought answers to many questions concerning the safety of flights along the polar routes to be launched in the near future. Operation of these routes is expected to bring profit both to Russia and to foreign airlines.

These and other fields of our activity helped us to extend the cooperation with Russian partners to include 30 current projects involving nearly 350 Russian scientists and engineers.

23 Boeing commercial airplanes are already flying the Russian routes. They are mainly operated by the Aeroflot-Russian International Airlines. Transaero and Sakhalin Air Routes airlines also use Boeing planes. Their number is expected to increase, requiring still greater efforts to maintain this fleet in good working order. Boeing assists the Russian carriers in this field, too. The corporate staff is at all times ready to help their customers in all big airports where Boeings fly.

If an airline has settled on purchasing a Boeing, it is offered an opportunity to select the final configuration. It is also entitled to assistance in the development of the operation scheme, selection of spare parts, maintenance and delivery of the liner. To increase operation effectiveness, Boeing offers trainings for flight crews, flight dispatchers and technical staff.

Seven years of active work in Russia has taught Boeing much. We regard mutual confidence with the Russian partners as our principal achievement. We value our partners highly and take pride in our successful joint performance. Both our partners and we possess unique experience at all levels, from engineers and technicians at production facilities to chief designers sharing ideas in high technologies. It is here that our future success is rooted.

Boeing’s motto, “Working Together”, fully reflects the essence of our cooperation with Russia. We are working together; we are looking together at the future of the aerospace industry and are thinking of those who will be employed in the business several years later. That is why Boeing gives its support to the Junior Achievements Russia movement, which helps Russian students find their path in life. That is why Boeing awards annual nominal scholarships to the best students of Russian aerospace higher education institutions. Among the nominees are students from the Kazan Aviation Institute, the Samara Aerospace University, and the Ufa Aviation Institute, as well as from four Moscow higher educational institutions.

Douglas Davidson, Director General, Boeing Russia and CIS; he holds undergraduate degrees in engineering management and architecture, Diploma of MBA from University of Washington; Member of Directors Board for American Chamber of Commerce, Member of U.S.- Russia Business Council; he is Member of Directors Board for Russian Helicopter Society; Head of Directors Board for Junior Achievements Russia.