Prototypes come first, then experimental for flight test. I suspect Boeing designed prototype and the experimental planes. DOD doesn't build planes. Would be very strange for one company to do the design and flight test then award manufacturing to another company. And if you are concerned about quality assurance, be aware that Boeing military is not the same organization as commercial division.
I worked for Boeing Phantom Works. I know how it goes. We were in competition for what became the F-35. Prototypes are experimental aircraft. Only very exceptional circumstances to split the award. In the award for the TFX, which became the F-111, the Air Force version (F-111A) was awarded to General Dynamics and the Navy version (F-111B) was awarded to Grumman. The B model turned into a problem and was shelved. The work went on to become the F-14. The work will be performed at the former McDonnell plant in St. Louis. I"ve been there. Though I have a gripe with their management (who oversaw the flaws in Boeing's commercial work), the engineers have kept their noses clean.
They are good people. If they are not listened to, such as what happened in the 787's development, you wind up with a programmatic fiasco. And, if you tell them you don't want to hear about any more problems, they are more intelligent than trained seals and totally comply. Then you get problems like what happened to the KC-46 tanker. It pains me to see good engineers mishandled by poor managers.
I was lucky. Worked for a program that developed the first new technology in flight since the jet. Flight test is never a done deal. Patience, faith, never quit and brains. And pilots who wouldn't take no for an answer.
Prototypes come first, then experimental for flight test. I suspect Boeing designed prototype and the experimental planes. DOD doesn't build planes. Would be very strange for one company to do the design and flight test then award manufacturing to another company. And if you are concerned about quality assurance, be aware that Boeing military is not the same organization as commercial division.
I worked for Boeing Phantom Works. I know how it goes. We were in competition for what became the F-35. Prototypes are experimental aircraft. Only very exceptional circumstances to split the award. In the award for the TFX, which became the F-111, the Air Force version (F-111A) was awarded to General Dynamics and the Navy version (F-111B) was awarded to Grumman. The B model turned into a problem and was shelved. The work went on to become the F-14. The work will be performed at the former McDonnell plant in St. Louis. I"ve been there. Though I have a gripe with their management (who oversaw the flaws in Boeing's commercial work), the engineers have kept their noses clean.
I've worked with Boeing engineers. Talented, dedicated people. Most are pilots. They LUV flight and flight test.
They are good people. If they are not listened to, such as what happened in the 787's development, you wind up with a programmatic fiasco. And, if you tell them you don't want to hear about any more problems, they are more intelligent than trained seals and totally comply. Then you get problems like what happened to the KC-46 tanker. It pains me to see good engineers mishandled by poor managers.
I was lucky. Worked for a program that developed the first new technology in flight since the jet. Flight test is never a done deal. Patience, faith, never quit and brains. And pilots who wouldn't take no for an answer.