Much of the manufacturing work, meanwhile, will occur overseas,with three Japanese suppliers building upward of one-third of theaircraft--more than they ever have on previous airplanes--includingwing the complex components heretofore handled largely in-house.Another 35% of the aircraft-- including the vertical fin, flightdeck and forward fuselage--will be manufactured in the US, atBoeing facilities in Frederickson, WA; Tulsa, OK; Wichita, KS; andother locations. Much of the rest of the aircraft's body, about 26%of the total aircraft, will be manufactured by Alenia Aeronauticaof Italy and Vought Aircraft Industries of Dallas. Decisionregarding who will supply the engines and systems for the aircraftis expected in mid-2004.

Boeing is still in the process of determining where in thenation the parts will be shipped for assembly. An announcement isexpected by the end of the year. The decision means 800 to 1,200high-paying jobs to the winning city. Washington is among severalstates are vying for the opportunity, offering up tax-breakpackages and other incentives.