Better order those C-17s soon

Boeing is starting the process of shutting down production; note the pressure on Congress.

Boeing Co. will start the process of ending its C-17 cargo plane program as early as tomorrow after failing to secure orders from the Pentagon, and unwilling to extend financial guarantees to its suppliers, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

Boeing has enough orders to continue manufacturing the C-17 through 2008, but needs commitments by Friday or will tell its suppliers to halt production, as many parts need to be ordered months in advance...

The Journal said Boeing could yet win a last-minute order, and Congress and the Pentagon could devote spending for orders in the future. However, a break in production will drive the cost of the plane higher than the government's current price of about $200 million each...