Editing McDonnell Douglas (section)

===1990–1997===
[[File:A-12 Avenger in flight NAN11-90.jpg|thumb|An artist's impression of the McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics A-12 ''Avenger II'' aircraft. It was planned for the U.S. Navy but canceled in 1991 due to high cost.]]

Technical issues, development cost overruns, growing unit costs, and delays led to the termination of the A-12 Avenger II program on January 13, 1991, by Defense Secretary [[Dick Cheney]]. Years of litigation would proceed over the contract's termination: the government claimed that the contractors had defaulted on the contract and were not entitled to the final progress payments, while McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics believed that the contract was terminated out of convenience, and thus the money was owed.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} The case was contested through litigation until a settlement was reached in January 2014. The chaos and financial stress created by the collapse of the A-12 program led to the layoff of 5,600 employees.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE3DB1E38F93BA35750C0A967958260 |title=McDonnell Air gets president |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 3, 1991 |access-date=March 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016221000/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE3DB1E38F93BA35750C0A967958260 |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> The advanced tactical aircraft role vacated by the A-12 debacle would be filled by another McDonnell Douglas program, the [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]].<ref name= 'F19a'/><ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/683629842.html?dids=683629842:683629842&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+30%2C+1979&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McDonnell+Trying+to+Hog+F-18+Sales%2C+Northrop+Suit+Says&pqatl=google |title= McDonnell trying to hog F-18 sales, Northrop suit says |first= Ken |last= Gepfert |work= Los Angeles Times |date= October 30, 1979 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211806/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/683629842.html?dids=683629842:683629842&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+30,+1979&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McDonnell+Trying+to+Hog+F-18+Sales,+Northrop+Suit+Says&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

However the purchasing of aircraft was curtailed as the [[Cold War]] came to an abrupt end in the 1990s. This curtailment in military procurements combined with the loss of the contracts for two major projects, the [[Advanced Tactical Fighter]] and [[Joint Strike Fighter Program|Joint Strike Fighter]], severely hurt McDonnell Douglas.<ref name= 'lastplane1'>{{cite news |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-22-fi-28719-story.html |title= Last Plane Out for Aerospace Pioneer; Aviation: Ceremony today marks the delivery of the last commercial aircraft built under the McDonnell Douglas name |work= Los Angeles Times |first= Peter |last= Pae |date= February 22, 2001 |access-date= February 18, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110127145628/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/feb/22/business/fi-28719 |archive-date= January 27, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref name= 'mergeJSF1'>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/11225158.html?dids=11225158:11225158&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+04%2C+1997&author=Schneider%2C+Greg&pub=The+Sun&desc=Merger+or+no%2C+Boeing+and+McDonnell+Douglas+linked&pqatl=google |title= Merger or no, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas linked |newspaper= Baltimore Sun |first= Greg |last= Schneider |date= February 4, 1997 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211711/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/11225158.html?dids=11225158:11225158&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+04,+1997&author=Schneider,+Greg&pub=The+Sun&desc=Merger+or+no,+Boeing+and+McDonnell+Douglas+linked&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> McDonnell Douglas built only a small wind tunnel test model.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jsf.mil/gallery/gal_photo_cddr_mda-ngc-bae.htm |title=JSF.mil > Gallery<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719232937/http://www.jsf.mil/gallery/gal_photo_cddr_mda-ngc-bae.htm |archive-date=July 19, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alexstoll.com/AircraftOfTheMonth/5-00.html|title=MD JSF - Aircraft of the Month - May 2000|work=alexstoll.com|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305044651/http://www.alexstoll.com/AircraftOfTheMonth/5-00.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> At its peak in mid-1990, McDonnell Douglas employed 132,500 people, but dropped to about 87,400 by the end of 1992.<ref>[https://www.joc.com/layoffs-aviation-skyrocket-most-firings-93-occurred-aerospace_19930328.html LAYOFFS IN AVIATION SKYROCKET MOST FIRINGS IN '93 OCCURRED IN AEROSPACE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521073247/https://www.joc.com/layoffs-aviation-skyrocket-most-firings-93-occurred-aerospace_19930328.html |date=May 21, 2022 }}. joc.com</ref>

In 1991, the MD-11 was not quite a success; ongoing tests of the MD-11 revealed a significant shortfall in the aircraft's performance. An important prospective carrier, [[Singapore Airlines]], required a fully laden aircraft capable of flying from [[Singapore]] to [[Paris]], against strong [[Headwind and tailwind|headwinds]] during [[Midwinter|mid-winter]]; the MD-11 did not have sufficient range for this at the time.<ref name="Airbus 1999 p66">{{harvnb|Norris|Wagner|1999|p=66}}</ref> Due to the less-than-expected performance figures, Singapore Airlines canceled its order for 20 MD-11s on August 2, 1991, and ordered 20 [[Airbus A340-300]]s instead.<ref>{{harvnb|Norris|Wagner|2001|p=59}}</ref>

[[File:Md-12-2.png|thumb|left|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-12]] aircraft concept]]
In 1992, McDonnell Douglas unveiled a study of a double deck jumbo-sized aircraft designated [[McDonnell Douglas MD-12|MD-12]].<ref name= 'flyint1'/><ref name="MDC_brochure">{{cite web |url= http://md-eleven.net/MD11-MD12-undeveloped-models |title= MDC brochures for undeveloped versions of the MD-11 and MD-12 |publisher= md-eleven.net |access-date= April 14, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080511211119/http://md-eleven.net/MD11-MD12-undeveloped-models |archive-date= May 11, 2008 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Despite briefly leaving the market, the study was perceived as merely a public relations exercise to disguise the fact that MDC was struggling under intense pressure from [[Boeing]] and [[Airbus]]. It was clear to most in the industry that MDC had neither the resources nor the money to develop such a large aircraft,<ref>{{cite news |title= McDonnell Douglas in shake-up as profits drop |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/mcdonnell-douglas-in-shakeup-as-profits-drop-1539656.html |work= The Independent |location= London |date= August 11, 1992 |first= Larry |last= Black |access-date= September 4, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150925064921/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/mcdonnell-douglas-in-shakeup-as-profits-drop-1539656.html |archive-date= September 25, 2015 |url-status= live}}</ref> and the study quickly sank without a trace. A similar double deck concept was used in Boeing's later Ultra-Large Aircraft study intended to replace the 747,<ref name="SeattlePIoverview">{{cite news |last= Wallace |first= James |title= Airbus all in on need for jumbo – but Boeing still doubtful |publisher=Seattle PI |date= October 24, 2007 |url= http://www.seattlepi.com/business/336611_airbus24.html}}{{dead link|date=July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Boeing looks again at plans for NLA |publisher= Flight International |first= Guy |last= Norris |date= September 10, 1997 |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1997/09/10/20640/boeing-looks-again-at-plans-for-nla.html |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110601074352/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1997/09/10/20640/boeing-looks-again-at-plans-for-nla.html |archive-date= June 1, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref> but ultimately the double deck concept would not see the light of day until the [[Airbus A380]] in the 2000s.<ref>{{cite news |title= Boeing, partners expected to scrap Super-Jet study |work= Los Angeles Times |date= July 10, 1995 |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/22490883.html?dids=22490883:22490883&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+10%2C+1995&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Boeing%2C+Partners+Expected+to+Scrap+Super-Jet+Study&pqatl=google |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024152310/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/22490883.html?dids=22490883:22490883&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+10,+1995&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Boeing,+Partners+Expected+to+Scrap+Super-Jet+Study&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Giant plane a testimony to 'old Europe' |work= BBC News |date= January 18, 2005 |first= Jorn |last= Madslien |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4184987.stm |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090511073657/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4184987.stm |archive-date= May 11, 2009 |url-status= live}}</ref>

Following Boeing's 1996 acquisition of [[Rockwell International|Rockwell]]'s [[North American Aviation|North American]] division, McDonnell Douglas merged with [[Boeing]] in August 1997 in a US$13 billion [[stock swap]], with Boeing as the surviving company.<ref name="merger" /><ref name= 'mergeJSF1'/> Boeing introduced a new corporate identity based on the McDonnell Douglas logo, which showed the globe being encircled in tribute to the [[first aerial circumnavigation]] which was accomplished in 1924 by Douglas aircraft. It was designed by graphic designer Rick Eiber, who had been the corporate identity consultant for Boeing over ten years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boeing Unveils New Corporate Identity |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/1997-08-01-Boeing-Unveils-New-Corporate-Identity |work=Boeing |date=August 1, 1997 |access-date=March 23, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991128132000/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1997/news.release.970801.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bold Logo Design Inspiration: Boeing |url=https://www.designrush.com/best-designs/logo/boeing |work=DesignRush |date= |access-date=March 19, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116234215/https://www.designrush.com/best-designs/logo/boeing |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Farhat|first=Sally|date=July 29, 1999|access-date=March 19, 2021|title=Rick Eiber, 54, Renowned Graphic Designer|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19990729&slug=2974239|work=The Seattle Times|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130202114/https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19990729&slug=2974239|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Boeing Company 2022 Annual Report |url=https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/company/annual-report/2022/Boeing-2022-Annual-Report.pdf |work=Boeing |access-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307071629/https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/company/annual-report/2022/Boeing-2022-Annual-Report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Between 1993 and just after the merger in 1997, McDonnell Douglas performed studies on the feasibility of a twin-engine jet using MD-11 components, and ultimately made a pitch for such a jet with Boeing wings, but nothing came of any of the proposals.<ref name="ar 2023-02-08"/><ref name="twin MD-11">{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/douglas-concentrates-on-proposal-for-md-11-twin-22513/ |title=Douglas concentrates on proposal for MD-11 Twin |work=[[FlightGlobal]] |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=January 25, 1995 |access-date=August 25, 2017 |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826072024/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/douglas-concentrates-on-proposal-for-md-11-twin-22513/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Douglas concentrates on proposal for MD-11 Twin">''Flight International'', 25–31 January 1995</ref>

In 1999, Boeing completed the spin off of the civilian line of helicopters to form [[MD Helicopters]], which was formerly part of McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems.

Starting August 17, 2006, Boeing closed down the Long Beach factory as orders for the C-17 ceased.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/boeing-to-close-long-beach-c-17-plant/ | title=Boeing to Close Long Beach C-17 Plant | date=August 17, 2006 | access-date=May 18, 2022 | archive-date=December 24, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224192853/https://labusinessjournal.com/news/boeing-to-close-long-beach-c-17-plant/ | url-status=live }}</ref>