Dear Reader:

Welcome again to Challenge magazine, a supplement to Boeing Frontiers designed specifically for the engineering and technical workforce of Boeing.

In our continuing effort to bring you more information about the many exciting technology projects and people at Boeing, we have included a wide variety of stories in this issue about new technologies, new systems, new programs and new ways of working together across the enterprise.

These include stories about some of the important technology transition initiatives going on across the enterprise, the new A160 Hummingbird unmanned air vehicle, maritime testing of the Connexion by Boeing system, and the ways that Engineering and Production teams are working more effectively together to save cycle time and cost while improving quality and performance.

We also take a look at some people leading important activities on the 7E7 and Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems programs, some who are involved in R&D initiatives around the world, and some who just think Boeing is a great place to work, including the chief engineer for Integrated Defense Systems.

There is even a story about Boeing Technology, the new organization I was asked to lead about a year ago, and how our team is doing so far in aligning itself with our new mission and strategies and in pursuing some very ambitious goals that affect the entire enterprise.

We hope you enjoy these stories and, more important, learn something from them that might apply to your own projects and initiatives. We also hope you will continue to provide us with feedback and suggestions for our next issue.

In the meantime, continue to stay focused on your work, remember that we are doing amazing things for the world, and have a happy and peaceful holiday with your family and friends.

Thanks for all your great contributions in 2004, and let's have an even better year in 2005.

—Jim Jamieson
Boeing Chief Technology Officer