Boeing to Ask U.S. to Reinstate Banned Units

Boeing Co., banned last month from launching government satellites because it had illegally acquired a rival’s documents, will try to convince the Air Force today that the company’s ethics policies and training will prevent future breaches.

Boeing, in a formal response, will seek to have three business units reinstated as government contractors.

The Air Force suspended the units and shifted rocket launch contracts worth about $1 billion from Boeing to No. 1 U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp., saying Boeing committed “serious and substantial violations of federal law.” The case dates back to 1997.