A sit-down with Boeing's head of defence

Steve Parker has been at the helm of Boeing Defense, Space & Security since 2024, first on an interim basis and later as the permanent chief executive officer.A Boeing insider of more than 30 years, Parker stepped into the role at a time of tremendous uncertainty for the company. Its fighter manufacturing business was looking shaky, the world was questioning whether helicopters still had a role in modern combat, and poorly structured, fixed-price contracts from the 2010s were generating billions of dollars in losses.Nearly two years later, the picture couldn’t be more stark. Demand for precision munitions is booming. There is renewed interest in existing platforms like the AH-64E attack helicopter and F-15EX fighter, and Boeing secured a massive contract to produce the new F-47 sixth-generation fighter.Boeing has also emerged as a leader in the development of uncrewed jet aircraft like the MQ-28 Ghost Bat fighter and MQ-25 Stingray tanker.FlightGlobal’s managing editor for defence Greg Waldron sits down with Steve Parker to discuss the company’s turnaround and what to expect from Boeing over the next few years.