Boeing defense unit's sales rise

Boeing reported today that sales in its defense unit in its most recent quarter grew.

The defense business announced quarterly revenue of $8.4 billion, up 6 percent from the same period the prior year. Operating earnings surged 19 percent to reach just over $1 billion.

Boeing's military aircraft unit saw the largest sales improvement, which Boeing attributed to F-15 contract negotiations. The network and space systems also saw bolstered revenue because of increased Commercial Crew program sales.

Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing's chief executive, told analysts in a call today that the company has a "healthy defense business."

"Now, it's a tough marketplace, and we've acknowledged that," he said. "But our defesne business overall is a healthy portfolio. We like the program structures we have, we're growing internationally and we're investing for the long run."

Boeing said the backlog in its defense business hit $59 billion, about 40 percent of which are orders from international customers.