Editing McDonnell Douglas

{{short description|American aerospace and defense corporation (1967–1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = McDonnell Douglas Corporation
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{NYSE was|MD}}
| industry = [[Aerospace]]
| products = 
| logo = File:McDonnell Douglas.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_caption = {{longitem|After McDonnell Douglas's merger with [[Boeing]] in 1997, a stylized version of this logo was added to the [[:File:Boeing full logo.svg|Boeing logo]].}}
| logo_alt = McDonnell Douglas logo
| fate = Merged with [[Boeing]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1967|04|28}}
| key_people = [[Harry Stonecipher]] ([[CEO]])
| defunct = {{start date|1997|08|01}}
| location = {{nowrap|[[Berkeley, Missouri]], US}}
| predecessor = {{ublist|class=nowrap|list_style=line-height:1.25em; |[[McDonnell Aircraft]] |[[Douglas Aircraft Company]]}}
| successor = [[Boeing]]
| homepage = {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970706184231/http://www.mdc.com/|title=mdc.com}}
| footnotes =<ref name="merger">[http://www.boeing.com/history/chronology/chron16.html Boeing Chronology, 1997–2001] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102173045/http://www.boeing.com/history/chronology/chron16.html |date=January 2, 2013}} at boeing.com.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/12927/0000950123-97-005181.txt|title=SEC on acquisition of McDonnell Douglas by Boeing, 1997|access-date=January 10, 2024|archive-date=January 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110234924/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/12927/0000950123-97-005181.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

'''McDonnell Douglas Corporation''' was a major American [[Aerospace manufacturer|aerospace manufacturing]] corporation and [[defense contractor]], formed by the merger of [[McDonnell Aircraft]] and the [[Douglas Aircraft Company]] in 1967. Between then and its own merger with [[Boeing]] in 1997, it produced well-known commercial and military aircraft, such as the [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10|DC-10]] and the [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80|MD-80]] airliners, the [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]] [[air superiority fighter]], and the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]] [[multirole combat aircraft|multirole]] fighter.

The corporation's headquarters were at [[St. Louis Lambert International Airport]], near [[St. Louis]], Missouri.

==History==
===Background===
{{main|McDonnell Aircraft Corporation|Douglas Aircraft Company}}
{{multiple image
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| width1 = 120
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| footer = [[Donald Wills Douglas|Donald W. Douglas Sr.]] (left) and [[James Smith McDonnell|James S. McDonnell]] (right)
}}

The company was formed from the firms of [[James Smith McDonnell]] and [[Donald Wills Douglas, Sr.|Donald Wills Douglas]] in 1967. Both men were of Scottish ancestry, were graduates of the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], and had worked for the aircraft manufacturer [[Glenn L. Martin Company]].<ref name="Yenne_p6">Yenne 1985, pp. 6–9.</ref>

[[File:F3D-2 Skyknight of VMF(N)-513 parked c1952.jpg|thumb|Douglas F3D Skyknight, {{circa|1952}}]]
Douglas had been chief engineer at Martin before leaving to establish Davis-Douglas Company in early 1920 in Los Angeles. The following year, he bought out his backer and renamed the firm the [[Douglas Aircraft Company]].<ref name="Yenne_p10">Yenne 1985, pp. 10–12.</ref>

McDonnell founded J.S. McDonnell & Associates in [[Milwaukee]], Wisconsin, in 1926 to produce a personal aircraft for family use. The economic depression from 1929 ruined his ideas and the company collapsed. He worked at three companies, joining Glenn Martin Company in 1933. He left Martin in 1938 to try again with his own firm, [[McDonnell Aircraft Corporation]], this time based at [[Lambert-St. Louis International Airport|Lambert Field]], outside [[St. Louis, Missouri]].<ref>Leiser, Ken. [https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/FDF8703B7630947486257620000659CD?OpenDocument "St. Louis aviation honored"]. ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'', August 28, 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829151740/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/FDF8703B7630947486257620000659CD?OpenDocument |date=August 29, 2009}}</ref>

[[File:EC-ASE Douglas DC-3 Iberia AGP 23AUG64 (16548622326).jpg|thumb|left|Douglas DC-3 of [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]]]]
Douglas Aircraft profited during [[World War II]]. The company produced about 10,000 C-47s, a military variant of the [[Douglas DC-3]], from 1942 to 1945. The workforce swelled to 160,000.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Both companies suffered at the end of the war, facing an end of government orders and a surplus of aircraft. Douglas continued to develop new aircraft, including the [[Douglas DC-6|DC-6]] in 1946 and the [[DC-7]] in 1953.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/479151502.html?dids=479151502:479151502&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Feb+17%2C+1946&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=DOUGLAS+DC-4+AND+DC-6+SKYMASTERS&pqatl=google |title= Douglas DC-4 and DC-6 Skymasters |first= Stanley |last= Johnston |work= Chicago Tribune |date= February 17, 1946 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211107/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/479151502.html?dids=479151502:479151502&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Feb+17,+1946&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=DOUGLAS+DC-4+AND+DC-6+SKYMASTERS&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/434210742.html?dids=434210742:434210742&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+19%2C+1953&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=DC-7%2C+Newest+Douglas+Airliner%2C+Takes+to+Sky&pqatl=google |title= DC-7, newest Douglas Airliner, takes to sky |work= Los Angeles Times |date= May 19, 1953 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211117/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/434210742.html?dids=434210742:434210742&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+19,+1953&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=DC-7,+Newest+Douglas+Airliner,+Takes+to+Sky&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The company moved into jet propulsion, producing the [[F3D Skyknight]] in 1948 and then the more "jet age" [[F4D Skyray]] in 1951.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30E1FF6395A117A93C6A9178BD95F478585F9 |title= U.S. Jet set mark, flies 753.4 M.P.H: Navy Hero recaptures World Speed leadership – Bests week-old British record |work= New York Times |date= October 4, 1953 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050642/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30E1FF6395A117A93C6A9178BD95F478585F9 |archive-date= June 5, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref> In 1955, Douglas introduced the U.S. Navy's first attack jet, the [[A-4 Skyhawk|A4D Skyhawk]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/887915552.html?dids=887915552:887915552&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+08%2C+1954&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Bantam+Jet+Bomber+Is+Unveiled+by+Navy&pqatl=google |title= Bantam Jet Bomber is unveiled by Navy |newspaper= Hartford Courant |date= June 8, 1954 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211135/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/887915552.html?dids=887915552:887915552&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+08,+1954&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Bantam+Jet+Bomber+Is+Unveiled+by+Navy&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Designed to operate from the decks of the World War II {{sclass|Essex|aircraft carrier|1}}s, the Skyhawk was small, reliable, and tough. Variants of it continued in use in the Navy for almost 50 years,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VP&p_theme=vp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFF689B362504C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= Saying goodbye to the A-4 Skyhawk |publisher= The Virginian |date= July 17, 1993 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608142140/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VP&p_theme=vp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFF689B362504C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date= June 8, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref> finally serving in large numbers in a two-seat version as a jet trainer.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61487967.html?dids=61487967:61487967&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+16%2C+1991&author=NANCY+RAY&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Aircraft+Pioneer%2C+83%2C+Savors+Bold+Designs+That+Still+Fly&pqatl=google |title= Aircraft pioneer, 83, savors bold designs that still fly |first= Nancy |last= Ray |work= Los Angeles Times |date= September 16, 1991 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211148/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61487967.html?dids=61487967:61487967&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+16,+1991&author=NANCY+RAY&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Aircraft+Pioneer,+83,+Savors+Bold+Designs+That+Still+Fly&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

[[File:Douglas DC-8 over Mint Canyon-California.jpg|thumb|right|Douglas DC-8]]
Douglas also made commercial jets, producing the [[Douglas DC-8|DC-8]] in 1958 to compete with the [[Boeing 707]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/441618242.html?dids=441618242:441618242&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+31%2C+1958&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Douglas+Jetliner%2C+Most+Advanced+of+Nation%2C+Debuts+in+Test+Flight&pqatl=google |title= Douglas Jetliner, most advanced of nation, debuts in test flight |work= Los Angeles Times |date= May 31, 1958 |first= Marvin |last= Miles |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211214/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/441618242.html?dids=441618242:441618242&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+31,+1958&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Douglas+Jetliner,+Most+Advanced+of+Nation,+Debuts+in+Test+Flight&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00C17F63C5B147A93C6AB1783D85F458685F9 |title= A DC-8 is first Airliner to top speed of Sound |work= New York Times |first= Marvin |last= Miles |date= August 24, 1961 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050656/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00C17F63C5B147A93C6AB1783D85F458685F9 |archive-date= June 5, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref> McDonnell was also developing jets, but being smaller it was prepared to be more radical, building on its successful [[FH-1 Phantom]] to become a major supplier to the Navy with the [[F2H Banshee]] and [[F3H Demon]]; and producing the [[F-101 Voodoo]] for the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF).<ref>{{cite news|url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/897587182.html?dids=897587182:897587182&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+17%2C+1952&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Navy+Awards+Contract+For+New+Jet+Fighter&pqatl=google|title= Navy awards contract for new jet fighter|newspaper= Hartford Courant|date= August 17, 1952|access-date= July 6, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211310/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/897587182.html?dids=897587182:897587182&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Aug+17,+1952&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Navy+Awards+Contract+For+New+Jet+Fighter&pqatl=google|archive-date= October 24, 2012|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/452709902.html?dids=452709902:452709902&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+09%2C+1954&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Navy+Accepts+First+Demon+Jet&pqatl=google |title= Navy accepts first Demon jet |work= Los Angeles Times |date= January 9, 1954 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211325/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/452709902.html?dids=452709902:452709902&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+09,+1954&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Navy+Accepts+First+Demon+Jet&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The [[Korean War]]-era Banshee and later the [[F-4 Phantom II]] produced during the [[Vietnam War]] helped push McDonnell into a major military fighter supply role.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=12866B958C4CAE80&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= The Phantom of the factory: A Look Back – The F-4 Phantom II, rolled out in late May 1958, became one of the great success stories of military aviation and supported thousands of families |publisher= St Louis Post |first= Tim |last= O'neil |date= May 24, 2009 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608142153/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=12866B958C4CAE80&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date= June 8, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref> Douglas created a series of experimental high-speed jet aircraft in the Skyrocket family, with the [[Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket|Skyrocket DB-II]] being the first aircraft to travel at twice the speed of sound in 1953.

[[File:Pioneer I on the Launch Pad - GPN-2002-000204.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Thor (rocket family)|Thor Able]] with [[Pioneer 1]] at [[Cape Canaveral|Cape Canaveral, Florida]]]]
Both companies were eager to enter the new [[missile]] business, Douglas moving from producing air-to-air rockets and missiles to entire missile systems under the 1956 [[Nike missile|Nike]] program and becoming the main contractor of the [[Skybolt ALBM]] program and the [[Thor (rocket)|Thor]] [[ballistic missile]] program.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OOcrAAAAIBAJ&pg=2899,8639527&dq=douglas+skybolt&hl=en |title= Skybolt fired Successfully |newspaper= Kentucky New Era |date= December 20, 1962 |access-date= November 17, 2020 |archive-date= October 21, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211021021436/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OOcrAAAAIBAJ&pg=2899%2C8639527&dq=douglas+skybolt&hl=en |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/441557922.html?dids=441557922:441557922&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+09%2C+1958&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=THOR+HINTED+AS+FAVORITE+MISSILE&pqatl=google |title= Thor hinted as favorite missile |work= Los Angeles Times |date= May 9, 1958 |first= Don |last= Shannon |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211339/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/441557922.html?dids=441557922:441557922&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+09,+1958&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=THOR+HINTED+AS+FAVORITE+MISSILE&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> McDonnell made a number of missiles, including the unusual [[ADM-20 Quail]],<ref>{{cite news |url= http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0613FF3B5B137A93CAA9178ED85F448685F9 |title= Missiles extend life of bomber: Jets, once thought obsolete, will soon carry deadly Air-Ground rockets |work= New York Times |first= Richard |last= Witkin |date= May 8, 1960 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050837/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0613FF3B5B137A93CAA9178ED85F448685F9 |archive-date= June 5, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref> as well as experimenting with hypersonic flight, research that enabled it to gain a substantial share of the [[NASA]] projects [[Project Mercury|Mercury]] and [[Gemini program|Gemini]]. Douglas also gained contracts from NASA, notably for part of the enormous [[Saturn V]] rocket.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/492083072.html?dids=492083072:492083072&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+22%2C+1963&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Douglas+Saturn+Contract+Grows+%2448+Million&pqatl=google |title= Douglas Saturn contract grows $48&nbsp;Million |work= Los Angeles Times |date= December 22, 1963 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211352/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/492083072.html?dids=492083072:492083072&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+22,+1963&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Douglas+Saturn+Contract+Grows+$48+Million&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/511271222.html?dids=511271222:511271222&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+05%2C+1967&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=%24170.5-Million+Job+Wont+by+McDonnell+Douglas&pqatl=google |title= $170.5-Million job won by McDonnell Douglas |work= Los Angeles Times |date= October 5, 1967 |first= Ernest A |last= Schonberger |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211408/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/511271222.html?dids=511271222:511271222&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+05,+1967&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=$170.5-Million+Job+Wont+by+McDonnell+Douglas&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

The two companies were now major employers, but both were having problems. McDonnell was primarily a defense contractor, without any significant civilian business. It frequently suffered lean times during downturns in military procurement. Meanwhile, Douglas was strained by the cost of the DC-8 and [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9|DC-9]]. The two companies began to sound each other out about a merger in 1963. Douglas offered bid invitations from December 1966 and accepted that of McDonnell.<ref name=NYTmerger>{{cite news |url= http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00E1EF63A58117B93C4AB178AD85F438685F9 |title= McDonnell and Douglas take a giant step |work= New York Times |first= Robert |last= Wright |date= January 26, 1967 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050850/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00E1EF63A58117B93C4AB178AD85F438685F9 |archive-date= June 5, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref> The two firms were officially merged on April 28, 1967, as the McDonnell Douglas Corporation (MDC). Earlier, McDonnell bought 1.5 million shares of Douglas stock to help its partner meet "immediate financial requirements".<ref name=bbupiann>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c_5XAAAAIBAJ&pg=1082%2C4712802 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Douglas, McDonnell aircraft firms announce merger plans |date=January 13, 1967 |page=6 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=July 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710115021/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c_5XAAAAIBAJ&pg=1082,4712802 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-9QfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4254,5627094&dq=mcdonnell+douglas&hl=en |title= McDonnell Douglas merger cleared |publisher= Fort Scott Tribune |date= April 27, 1967 |access-date= November 17, 2020 |archive-date= October 21, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211021021438/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-9QfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4254%2C5627094&dq=mcdonnell+douglas&hl=en |url-status= live }}</ref> The two companies seemed to be a good fit for each other. McDonnell's military contracts provided an instant solution for Douglas' cash flow problems, while the revenue from Douglas' civil contracts would be more than enough for McDonnell to withstand peacetime declines in procurement.

===Formation===
[[File:McDonnell Douglas Long Beach 08.jpg|thumb|Assembly of the DC-9 and DC-10 at the [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] plant, 1974]]

McDonnell Douglas retained McDonnell Aircraft's headquarters location at what was then known as [[Lambert–St. Louis International Airport]], in [[Berkeley, Missouri]],<ref>Ealy, Charles and Andy Dworkin. "[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3D6E772CC91D2&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Texas Instruments may sell defense unit McDonnell Douglas among 1st to show interest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021125127/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3D6E772CC91D2&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=October 21, 2012}}." ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]''. November 6, 1996. Retrieved June 12, 2009.</ref><ref>"[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US2904906&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on Berkeley city, Missouri]{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}." ''[[U.S. Census Bureau]]''. Retrieved June 8, 2009.</ref><ref>"[http://tiger.census.gov/cgi-bin/mapbrowse-tbl?lat=38.74330&lon=-90.33560&wid=0.25&ht=0.25&mlat=38.74330&mlon=-90.33560&msym=redpin&off=CITIES&mlabel=Berkeley,+MO Berkeley, MO (1990) Tiger Map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000607075238/http://tiger.census.gov/cgi-bin/mapbrowse-tbl?lat=38.74330&lon=-90.33560&wid=0.25&ht=0.25&mlat=38.74330&mlon=-90.33560&msym=redpin&off=CITIES&mlabel=Berkeley,+MO |date=June 7, 2000}}." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved June 13, 2009.</ref><ref>Bower, Carolyn. "[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB329A5AD9F086F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM TESTS FIND RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021125143/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB329A5AD9F086F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=October 21, 2012}}." ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]''. December 9, 1988. News 2F. Retrieved June 13, 2009.</ref> near [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]]. James McDonnell became executive chairman and CEO of the merged company, with Donald Douglas Sr. as honorary chairman.<ref name=NYTmerger/>

[[File:Douglas DC-9-32 HB-IFS (Swissair).jpg|thumb|Douglas DC-9-32]]
In 1967, with the merger of McDonnell and Douglas Aircraft, [[David S. Lewis]], then president of McDonnell Aircraft, was named chairman of what was called the Long Beach, [[Douglas Aircraft]] Division. At the time of the merger, Douglas Aircraft was estimated to be less than a year from bankruptcy. Flush with orders, the DC-8 and DC-9 aircraft were 9 to 18 months behind schedule, incurring stiff penalties from the airlines. Lewis was active in [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10|DC-10]] sales in an intense competition with [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed's]] [[Lockheed L-1011|L-1011]], a rival tri-jet aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/680204092.html?dids=680204092:680204092&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+06%2C+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=DC-10+DEAL+ALSO+PLEASES+LOCKHEED&pqatl=google |title= DC-10 deal also pleases Lockheed |work= Los Angeles Times |first= Charles |last= Wood |date= June 6, 1972 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211433/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/680204092.html?dids=680204092:680204092&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+06,+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=DC-10+DEAL+ALSO+PLEASES+LOCKHEED&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60A13FE3B5C1A7A93C3A81788D85F408785F9 |title= Lockheed seeking greater range for Tristar; hopes to make its jet more competitive |work= New York Times |first= Robert |last= Wright |date= March 11, 1974 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050927/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60A13FE3B5C1A7A93C3A81788D85F408785F9 |archive-date= June 5, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/699033162.html?dids=699033162:699033162&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+12%2C+1971&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=L-1011+Customers+Admit+Concessions+by+Douglas&pqatl=google |title= L-1011 Customers admit concessions by Douglas |work= Los Angeles Times |first= Robert |last= Wood |date= June 12, 1971 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211446/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/699033162.html?dids=699033162:699033162&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+12,+1971&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=L-1011+Customers+Admit+Concessions+by+Douglas&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> In two years, Lewis had the operation back on track and in positive cash flow. He returned to the company's St. Louis headquarters where he continued sales efforts on the DC-10 and managed the company as a whole as president and chief operating officer through 1971.

[[File:Ariana Afghan Airlines DC-10 Fitzgerald.jpg|thumb|right|[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]]]]
The DC-10 began production in 1968 with the first deliveries in 1971.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/642832722.html?dids=642832722:642832722&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+30%2C+1971&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Airlines+Take+Over+1st+DC-10s+as+McDonnell+Gibes+Lockheed&pqatl=google |title= Airlines take over 1st DC-10s as McDonnell Gibes Lockheed |work= Los Angeles Times |first= Paul |last= Steiger |date= July 30, 1971 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211524/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/642832722.html?dids=642832722:642832722&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+30,+1971&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Airlines+Take+Over+1st+DC-10s+as+McDonnell+Gibes+Lockheed&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

As early as 1966 and for decades thereafter, McDonnell Douglas considered building a twin-engined aircraft named the "DC-10 Twin" or DC-X.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/660772202.html?dids=660772202:660772202&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+22%2C+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Douglas+Takes+1st+Step+Toward+Twin+Engine+Version+of+DC-10&pqatl=google |title= Douglas takes 1st Step toward Twin Engine version of DC-10 |work= Los Angeles Times |first= John |last= Getze |date= November 22, 1972 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211538/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/660772202.html?dids=660772202:660772202&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+22,+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Douglas+Takes+1st+Step+Toward+Twin+Engine+Version+of+DC-10&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/598569452.html?dids=598569452:598569452&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+14%2C+1973&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Douglas+plans+wide-bodied+jet+with+short-medium+ranges&pqatl=google |title= Douglas plans wide-bodied jet with short-medium ranges |work= Chicago Tribune |first= Thomas |last= Buck |date= April 14, 1973 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211551/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/598569452.html?dids=598569452:598569452&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+14,+1973&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Douglas+plans+wide-bodied+jet+with+short-medium+ranges&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name="ar 2023-02-08">{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Geoffrey |title=How McDonnell Douglas missed the Big Twin and disappeared |url=https://www.airlineratings.com/news/mcdonnell-douglas-missed-big-twin-disappeared/ |website=Airline Ratings |access-date=2023-06-02 |language=en-AU |date=2023-02-08 |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401095049/https://www.airlineratings.com/news/mcdonnell-douglas-missed-big-twin-disappeared/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This would have been an early [[twinjet]] similar to the [[Airbus A300]], but it never progressed to a prototype. Such an aircraft might have given McDonnell Douglas an early lead in the huge twinjet market that developed in the 1970s, as well as commonality with many of the DC-10's systems.<ref name="ar 2023-02-08"/><ref name= 'flyint1'>{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2005/12/20/203709/clipped-wings.html |title= Clipped Wings |publisher= Flight International |date= December 20, 2005 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091118041321/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2005/12/20/203709/clipped-wings.html |archive-date= November 18, 2009 |url-status= live}}</ref>

===1970–1980===
[[File:American Airlines MD-80 (435551097).jpg|thumb|MD-80]]

In 1977, the next generation of DC-9 variants, dubbed the "Super 80" (later renamed the [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80|MD-80]]) series, was launched.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/653620392.html?dids=653620392:653620392&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+03%2C+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McDonnell+to+Build+Larger%2C+Quieter+DC-9&pqatl=google |title= McDonnell to build larger, quieter DC-9 |work= Los Angeles Times |first= Tom |last= Redburn |date= October 3, 1977 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211603/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/653620392.html?dids=653620392:653620392&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+03,+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McDonnell+to+Build+Larger,+Quieter+DC-9&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

In 1977, the [[KC-10 Extender]] became the second McDonnell Douglas transport aircraft to be purchased by the U.S. Air Force, after the [[McDonnell Douglas C-9|C-9 Nightingale/Skytrain II]].

[[File:F-15, 71st Fighter Squadron, in flight.JPG|thumb|USAF F-15C during an Operation Noble Eagle patrol]]
Through the [[Cold War]], McDonnell Douglas had introduced and manufactured dozens of successful military aircraft, including the [[F-15 Eagle]] in 1974 and<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/657452092.html?dids=657452092:657452092&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+10%2C+1981&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=7+Aerospace+Firms+Take+%2450-Million+Gamble+on+Advanced+F-15+Fighter&pqatl=google |title= 7 Aerospace Firms Take $50-Million Gamble on Advanced F-15 Fighter |work= Los Angeles Times |first= Bob |last= Williams |date= May 10, 1981 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211723/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/657452092.html?dids=657452092:657452092&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+10,+1981&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=7+Aerospace+Firms+Take+$50-Million+Gamble+on+Advanced+F-15+Fighter&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> the [[F/A-18 Hornet]] in 1978,<ref name= 'F19a'>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/665453722.html?dids=665453722:665453722&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+30%2C+1981&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Pentagon+Gives+Navy+Go-Ahead+on+Costly+Douglas+F-18+Fighter&pqatl=google |title= Pentagon gives Navy Go-Ahead on costly Douglas F-18 fighter |work= Los Angeles Times |date= June 30, 1981 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211738/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/665453722.html?dids=665453722:665453722&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+30,+1981&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Pentagon+Gives+Navy+Go-Ahead+on+Costly+Douglas+F-18+Fighter&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> as well as other products such as the [[Harpoon missile|Harpoon]] and [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk missile]]s.

The oil crisis of the 1970s was a serious shock to the commercial aviation industry. McDonnell Douglas was hit by the economic shift and forced to contract while diversifying into new areas to protect against more downturns.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}

===1980–1989===
[[File:KC-10 Extender (2151957820).jpg|thumb|left|KC-10 Extender during refueling]]

In 1984, McDonnell Douglas expanded into helicopters by purchasing [[Hughes Helicopters]] from the [[Summa Corporation]] for $470&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/631280832.html?dids=631280832:631280832&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+08%2C+1984&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=McDonnell+Douglas+completes+Hughes+Helicopter+acquisition&pqatl=google |title= McDonnell Douglas completes Hughes Helicopter acquisition |work= Chicago Tribune |date= January 8, 1984 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211755/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/631280832.html?dids=631280832:631280832&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+08,+1984&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=McDonnell+Douglas+completes+Hughes+Helicopter+acquisition&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Hughes Helicopters was made a subsidiary initially and renamed [[MD Helicopters|McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems]] in August 1984.<ref>Richardson, Doug and Lindsay Peacock. ''Combat Aircraft AH-64'', pp. 14–15. London: Salamander Books, 1992. {{ISBN|0-86101-675-0}}.</ref> McDonnell Douglas Helicopters's most successful product was the Hughes-designed [[AH-64 Apache]] attack helicopter.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19238393.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110830151733/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19238393.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 30, 2011 |title= McDonnell Douglas' Apache Longbow makes its debut |first= Ken |last= Western |newspaper=Arizona Republic |date= March 22, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB082FEAB81105D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= Mcdonnell wins big helicopter contract but layoffs are looming at commercial air unit |first= William |last= Flannery |publisher= St Louis Post |date= April 8, 1995 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608142251/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB082FEAB81105D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date= June 8, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref>

[[File:Swissair MD-11; HB-IWH@ZRH;25.05.1995 (5120662252).jpg|thumb|McDonnell Douglas MD-11]]
In 1986, the [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11|MD-11]] was introduced, an improved and upgraded version of the DC-10.<ref name="AJMD11">{{cite web |url= http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/03/2009323530525127.html |title= Aircraft profile: MD-11 |publisher= Al Jazeera |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100730141640/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/03/2009323530525127.html |archive-date= July 30, 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref> The MD-11 was the most advanced [[trijet]] aircraft to be developed. Since 1990 it sold 200 units, but was discontinued in 2001 after the merger with Boeing as it competed with the [[Boeing 777]].<ref name="AJMD11" /><ref name="lastplane1" /><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6788531_ITM |title= American Airlines retires last MD-11 from fleet |publisher=Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News |date= October 16, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2000/09/19/2000-09-19_md-11_jet_has_highest_crash_.html |title= MD-11 Jet has highest crash rate |publisher= New York Daily Times |first= Peter |last= Demarco |date= September 19, 2000 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090629111909/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2000/09/19/2000-09-19_md-11_jet_has_highest_crash_.html |archive-date= June 29, 2009 |df= mdy-all}}</ref> The final commercial aircraft design to be produced by McDonnell Douglas came in 1988. The [[McDonnell Douglas MD-90|MD-90]] was a stretched version of the MD-80,<ref name="seatpiac">{{cite web |url= http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/189412.asp |title= Did subsidies drive MD and Lockheed from commercial jet biz? |publisher= Seattle PI |first= Aubrey |last= Cohen |date= December 28, 2009 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110202123736/http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/189412.asp |archive-date= February 2, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref> powered by [[International Aero Engines]] [[IAE V2500|V2500]] turbofans, the largest rear-mounted engines ever used on a commercial jet. The [[Boeing 717|MD-95]], a modern regional airliner closely resembling the DC-9-30, was the last McDonnell Douglas designed commercial jet to be produced.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19971103/2570142/md-95s-future-uncertain----boeing-to-phase-out-md-80-md-90 |title= MD-95'S future uncertain – Boeing to phase uut MD-80, MD-90 |newspaper= Seattle Times |first= Polly |last= Lane |date= November 3, 1997 |access-date= January 7, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120926023028/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19971103&slug=2570142 |archive-date= September 26, 2012 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72113514.html?dids=72113514:72113514&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+14%2C+1993&author=Richard+M.+Weintraub&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=MD-90+Airliner+Unveiled+By+McDonnell+Douglas%3B+Firm+Seeks+to+Stay+in+Civilian+Aircraft+Business&pqatl=google |title= MD-90 Airliner unveiled by McDonnell Douglas: firm seeks to stay in civilian aircraft business |newspaper= Washington Post |first= Richard |last= Weintraub |date= February 14, 1993 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211640/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72113514.html?dids=72113514:72113514&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+14,+1993&author=Richard+M.+Weintraub&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=MD-90+Airliner+Unveiled+By+McDonnell+Douglas%3B+Firm+Seeks+to+Stay+in+Civilian+Aircraft+Business&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

[[File:MDD T-45 assembly line c1988.jpeg|thumb|[[McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk]] assembly line, {{Circa|1988}}]]
On January 13, 1988, McDonnell Douglas and [[General Dynamics]] won the US Navy Advanced Tactical Aircraft (ATA) contract. The US$4.83&nbsp;billion contract was to develop the [[A-12 Avenger II]], a stealth, carrier-based, long-range flying wing attack aircraft that would replace the [[A-6 Intruder]].

In January 1989, Robert Hood, Jr was appointed president to lead the Douglas Aircraft Division, replacing retiring President Jim Worsham. McDonnell Douglas then introduced a major reorganization called the [[Total Quality Management]] System (TQMS). TQMS ended the functional setup where engineers with specific expertise in aerodynamics, structural mechanics, materials, and other technical areas worked on several different aircraft. This was replaced by a product-oriented system where they focus on one specific airplane. As part of reorganization, 5,000 managerial and supervisory positions were eliminated at Douglas. The former managers could apply for 2,800 newly created posts; the remaining 2,200 would lose their managerial responsibilities.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1989/08/28/72404/ |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130410171722/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1989/08/28/72404/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2013-04-10 |title= BUMPY FLIGHT AT MCDONNELL DOUGLAS Even before two DC-10 crashes, it was beset by defense cutbacks and factory foul-ups. Now managers must unsnarl a new reorganization to get airborne again. |first= Ronald |last= Henkoff |publisher= Fortune}}</ref> The reorganization reportedly led to widespread loss of morale at the company and TQMS was nicknamed "Time to Quit and Move to Seattle" by employees referring to the competitor Boeing headquartered in Seattle, Washington.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/29/business/breathing-easier-at-mcdonnell-douglas.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title= Breathing Easier at McDonnell Douglas |newspaper= New York Times |first= Richard |last= Stevenson |date= September 29, 1991 |access-date= February 11, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170701022816/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/29/business/breathing-easier-at-mcdonnell-douglas.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |archive-date= July 1, 2017 |url-status= live}}</ref>

===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>

===McDonnell Automation Company legacy===
Some of the company's lasting legacies are non-aviation related. They are the computer systems and companies developed in the company's subsidiary McDonnell Automation Company (McAuto) which was created in the 1950s initially used for [[numerical control]] for production starting in 1958 and [[computer-aided design]] (CAD) starting in 1959. Its CAD program MicroGDS [[Cadcorp|remains in use]] with the latest official version 11.5.1<ref>{{Cite web |title=MicroGDS |url=https://www.microgds.co.uk/updates.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=www.microgds.co.uk}}</ref> issued in October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.microgds.co.uk/updates.html |title=MicroGDS<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220035346/http://www.microgds.co.uk/updates.html |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bjenzer.com/index.php/welcome-e/microgds-overwiew/history-e |title=History<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216120630/http://www.bjenzer.com/index.php/welcome-e/microgds-overwiew/history-e |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

By the 1970s, McAuto had 3,500 employees and $170 million worth of computer equipment. This made it one of the largest computer processors in the world during this era.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

In 1981, McAuto acquired Bradford Systems and Administrative Services for $11.5 million and began processing medical claims.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/25/business/bradford-national-sells-a-division.html |title=Bradford National Sells a Division - The New York Times<!-- Bot generated title --> |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 25, 1981 |access-date=March 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312083843/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/25/business/bradford-national-sells-a-division.html |archive-date=March 12, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1983, two principals of Bradford who had to come work at McAuto—Joseph T. Lynaugh{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} and Howard L. Waltman<ref>{{Cite web |title=Howard L. Waltman<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.nndb.com/people/022/000169512/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716043219/https://www.nndb.com/people/022/000169512/ |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2018}}</ref>—formed the Sanus Corporation, a [[health maintenance organization]] that was a wholly owned subsidiary of McDonnell Douglas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/141111669/?terms=%22Sanus%2BCorp%22 |title=25 Sep 1987, p. 43 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.com< |access-date=March 11, 2018 |archive-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221051049/https://www.newspapers.com/image/141111669/?terms=%22Sanus%2BCorp%22 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1986, after McDonnell Douglas reduced its control, Sanus announced a partnership with St. Louis pharmacy chain Medicare-Glaser Corp. to form [[Express Scripts]] to provide drugs for the Sanus HMO.

==Products==

===Military airplanes===
[[File:Yc15-1 072.jpg|thumb|right|The [[McDonnell Douglas YC-15]] was used as the base for the C-17.]]
[[File:DC-9 UR-CBY.JPG|thumb|right|[[McDonnell Douglas DC-9]]]]
[[File:Varig.md11.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|right|Built from 1988 to 2000, the [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11|MD-11]] was the last McDonnell Douglas widebody aircraft.]]
[[File:F-18E Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115) flight ops CVN-72 2002-10-04.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18E Super Hornet]]]]
[[File:Md helicopters md-500e g-sscl arp.jpg|thumb|right|MD 500 Helicopter]]

*[[McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]] (started under Douglas Aircraft, used by the [[Blue Angels]])
**[[McDonnell Douglas A-4G Skyhawk]]
**[[Project Kahu]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]] (started under McDonnell Aircraft, used by the Blue Angels and [[United States Air Force Thunderbirds|Thunderbirds]])
**[[List of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas C-9]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]]
**[[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle]]
**[[McDonnell Douglas F-15 STOL/MTD]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II]] (based on the [[British Aerospace]] [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier|Harrier]])
*[[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]] (used by the Blue Angels)
**[[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet]]
**[[High Alpha Research Vehicle]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas YC-15]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk]] jet trainer (based on the British Aerospace [[BAE Hawk|Hawk]])
*[[McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III]] (Design and early production)
*[[McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II]] with [[General Dynamics]]
*[[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]] (Initial design and early production)

===Commercial airplanes===
*[[McDonnell Douglas DC-8]] (started under Douglas Aircraft)
*[[McDonnell Douglas DC-9]] (started under Douglas Aircraft)
*[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] (with cockpit upgrade designated [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10#Variants|MD-10]])
**[[DC-10 Air Tanker]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]] (stretched and modernized version of the DC-10)
*[[McDonnell Douglas MD-80]] (stretched and modernized version of the DC-9)
*[[McDonnell Douglas MD-90]] (stretched and modernized version of the MD-80)
*MD-95 (latest evolution of the DC-9, sold as [[Boeing 717]])

===Experimental aircraft===
*[[McDonnell Douglas X-36]]
*[[Boeing Bird of Prey|Bird of Prey]]

===Proposed airliners===
*[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Twin]]
*[[McDonnell Douglas MD-12]], a double-decker airplane similar to the [[Airbus A380]] and [[Boeing NLA]].
*[[McDonnell Douglas MD-94X]]

===Helicopters===
*[[AH-64 Apache]] (started under [[Hughes Helicopters]])
*[[MD Helicopters MD 500|MD 500 series]] (started under Hughes Helicopters)
*[[MD Helicopters MD 600|MD 600]]
*[[MD Helicopters MD Explorer|MD 901/902/902 Explorer]]

===Spacecraft===
*[[McDonnell Douglas Barbarian|Barbarian]]
*[[Big Gemini]]
*[[Skylab]] space station
*[[Skylab B]]

===Computer systems===
McDonnell Douglas acquired [[Microdata Corporation]] in 1983. The division was spun out as a separate company, [[McDonnell Douglas Information Systems]] in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://techmonitor.ai/techonology/newly_independent_mcdonnell_douglas_information_systems_sets_out_its_stall|title = NEWLY-INDEPENDENT McDONNELL DOUGLAS INFORMATION SYSTEMS SETS OUT ITS STALL|date = April 6, 1993|access-date = July 27, 2021|archive-date = July 27, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210727050926/https://techmonitor.ai/techonology/newly_independent_mcdonnell_douglas_information_systems_sets_out_its_stall|url-status = live}}</ref>

*Sequel
*Spirit
*Reality OS
*Series 18 Model 6
*Series 18 Model 9
*Sovereign
*6200
*6400
*7000
*9000
*9200
*9400

The corporation also produced the Sovereign (later M7000) series of systems in the UK, which used the Sovereign operating system developed in the UK and which was not based on [[Pick operating system|Pick]], unlike the "Reality" family of systems listed above. Sovereign, largely a Data Entry solution, had a reasonable market in the United States supporting data entry shops.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Elleray |first=Dick |date=July 16, 1986 |title=The Reality Operating System Revealed (1986/09) |journal=Project Management Bulletin |publisher=Project Management Group, McDonnell Douglas Information Systems Group}}</ref>

===Missiles and rockets===
*[[Tomahawk (missile family)|BGM-109 Tomahawk]] missile
*[[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon]] missile
*[[LIM-49 Spartan]]
*[[M47 Dragon]]
*[[Delta II]] rocket
*[[S-IV|Saturn S-IV]] second stage
*[[S-IVB|Saturn S-IVB]] third stage
*[[McDonnell Douglas DC-X]] reusable rocket
{{clear}}

==Commercial deliveries==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ style="padding-bottom:0.15em;"| Delivery of McDonnell Douglas-designed{{nbsp|2}}<br/>{{raise|0.225em|commercial airplanes by year and model}}<ref>[http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/index.cfm?content=timeperiodselection.cfm&pageid=m15523 Time Period Reports.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410035213/http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/index.cfm?content=timeperiodselection.cfm&pageid=m15523 |date=April 10, 2006}} boeing.com</ref>
|-
|style="border-top:2px solid white;border-left:2px solid white;background:white;"|
! [[Douglas DC-8|DC-8]] || [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9|DC-9]] || [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10|DC-10]] || [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80|MD-80]] || [[McDonnell Douglas MD-90|MD-90]] || [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11|MD-11]] ||style="background:#069;color:white;font-weight:bold;"| Total
|-
| '''1959''' ||    21 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||       ||    '''21''' </tr>
| '''1960''' ||    91 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||       ||    '''91''' </tr>
| '''1961''' ||    42 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||       ||    '''42''' </tr>
| '''1962''' ||    22 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||       ||    '''22''' </tr>
| '''1963''' ||    19 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||       ||    '''19''' </tr>
| '''1964''' ||    20 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||       ||    '''20''' </tr>
| '''1965''' ||    31 ||     5 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||    '''36''' </tr>
| '''1966''' ||    32 ||    69 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||   '''101''' </tr>
| '''1967''' ||    41 ||   153 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||   '''194''' </tr>
| '''1968''' ||   102 ||   202 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||   '''304''' </tr>
| '''1969''' ||    85 ||   122 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||   '''207''' </tr>
| '''1970''' ||    33 ||    51 ||       ||       ||       ||       ||    '''84''' </tr>
| '''1971''' ||    13 ||    46 ||    13 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''72''' </tr>
| '''1972''' ||     4 ||    32 ||    52 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''88''' </tr>
| '''1973''' ||       ||    29 ||    57 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''86''' </tr>
| '''1974''' ||       ||    48 ||    47 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''95''' </tr>
| '''1975''' ||       ||    42 ||    43 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''85''' </tr>
| '''1976''' ||       ||    50 ||    19 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''69''' </tr>
| '''1977''' ||       ||    22 ||    14 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''36''' </tr>
| '''1978''' ||       ||    22 ||    18 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''40''' </tr>
| '''1979''' ||       ||    39 ||    35 ||       ||       ||       ||    '''74''' </tr>
| '''1980''' ||       ||    18 ||    41 ||     5 ||       ||       ||    '''64''' </tr>
| '''1981''' ||       ||    16 ||    25 ||    61 ||       ||       ||   '''102''' </tr>
| '''1982''' ||       ||    10 ||    11 ||    34 ||       ||       ||    '''55''' </tr>
| '''1983''' ||       ||       ||    12 ||    51 ||       ||       ||    '''63''' </tr>
| '''1984''' ||       ||       ||    10 ||    44 ||       ||       ||    '''54''' </tr>
| '''1985''' ||       ||       ||    11 ||    71 ||       ||       ||    '''82''' </tr>
| '''1986''' ||       ||       ||    17 ||    85 ||       ||       ||   '''102''' </tr>
| '''1987''' ||       ||       ||    10 ||    94 ||       ||       ||   '''104''' </tr>
| '''1988''' ||       ||       ||    10 ||   120 ||       ||       ||   '''130''' </tr>
| '''1989''' ||       ||       ||     1 ||   117 ||       ||       ||   '''118''' </tr>
| '''1990''' ||       ||       ||       ||   139 ||       ||     3 ||   '''142''' </tr>
| '''1991''' ||       ||       ||       ||   140 ||       ||    31 ||   '''171''' </tr>
| '''1992''' ||       ||       ||       ||    84 ||       ||    42 ||   '''126''' </tr>
| '''1993''' ||       ||       ||       ||    43 ||       ||    36 ||    '''79''' </tr>
| '''1994''' ||       ||       ||       ||    23 ||       ||    17 ||    '''40''' </tr>
| '''1995''' ||       ||       ||       ||    18 ||    13 ||    18 ||    '''49''' </tr>
| '''1996''' ||       ||       ||       ||    12 ||    25 ||    15 ||    '''52''' </tr>
| '''1997''' ||       ||       ||       ||    16 ||    26 ||    12 ||    '''54''' </tr>
| '''1998''' ||       ||       ||       ||     8 ||    34 ||    12 ||    '''54''' </tr>
| '''1999''' ||       ||       ||       ||    26 ||    13 ||     8 ||    '''47''' </tr>
| '''2000''' ||       ||       ||       ||       ||     5 ||     4 ||     '''9''' </tr>
| '''2001''' ||       ||       ||       ||       ||       ||     2 ||     '''2''' </tr>
|-
!style="background:#069;color:white;font-weight:bold;"| Total <!--
          -->||   556 ||   976 ||   446 || 1,191 ||   116 ||   200
|style="background:#069;color:white;font-weight:bold;"| 3,485
|-
| '''Active'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pic.carnoc.com/vedio/2016/2016fleetreport.pdf|title=World Airliner Census 2016|work=pic.carnoc.com|access-date=January 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118044819/http://pic.carnoc.com/vedio/2016/2016fleetreport.pdf|archive-date=November 18, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> <!--
          -->||    2 ||    32 ||   50 ||   404 ||    65 ||   123 || '''676'''
|-
|            || '''DC-8''' || '''DC-9''' || '''DC-10''' || '''MD-80''' || '''MD-90''' || '''MD-11''' ||
|}

== Key people ==
* [[James Smith McDonnell]]
* [[John McDonnell (businessman)]]
* [[Sanford N. McDonnell]]
* [[Harry Stonecipher]]
* Charles Michael Niemann<ref>{{cite web |title=Picture Of CM Niemann In MD News |url=https://ibb.co/5WpKJsx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202210207/https://ibb.co/5WpKJsx|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MD Employee News Article |url=https://ibb.co/F8Gm9HC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202213111/https://ibb.co/F8Gm9HC|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=McDonnell Douglas Employee ID |url=https://ibb.co/KK0dw96|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202210105/https://ibb.co/KK0dw96|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CM Niemann Loaned Executive Card |url=https://ibb.co/T1KHxD4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202205708/https://ibb.co/T1KHxD4|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Eichenlaub |title=Executive Stories From McDonnell Douglas |publisher=The Chowder and Marching Club |pages=3–7}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Second NASA Symposium on Quality and Productivity - Introductory Remarks}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Orientation Conference Workbook |publisher=McDonnell Douglas Institute |page=40}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Juran |title=A Talk With Mike Niemann |publisher=McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Information for Employees |date=March 1987}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=2nd NASA Symposium on Quality and Productivity |date=December 2, 1987 |publisher=NASA |location=Washington D.C.}}</ref>

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* Yenne, Bill. ''McDonnell Douglas''. Crescent Books, 1985. {{ISBN|0-517-44287-6}}.
* {{cite book |last1=Norris |first1=Guy |last2=Wagner |first2=Mark |title=Airbus A340 and A330 |date=2001 |publisher=Osceola |isbn=0760308896 |pages=120}}
* {{cite book |last1=Norris |first1=Guy |last2=Wagner |first2=Mark |title=Douglas Jetliners |date=1999 |publisher=Osceola |isbn=0760306761 |pages=96}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* Francillon, René J. ''McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920''. Naval Institute Press, 1990. 2 volume set. {{OCLC|19920963}}
* Greider, William. ''One World, Ready or Not''. Penguin Press, 1997. {{ISBN|0-7139-9211-5}}.
{{refend}}
{{clear right}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|McDonnell Douglas}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19970706184231/http://www.mdc.com/ Official McDonnell Douglas site] ''as archived at the [[Wayback Machine]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.mdtsc.com/ McDonnell Douglas Technical Services Company] ''as archived at the Wayback Machine''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071016220717/http://boeing.com/history/narrative/n080mdc.html History of McDonnell Douglas on Boeing.com]

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