Boeing replaces Dreamliner programme chief

       Boeing Co, which has experienced a series of embarrassing and costly delays on the long-awaited 787 Dreamliner, said on Monday that Scott Carson, the head of its commercial airplanes division,"is retiring and will be replaced by Jim Albaugh, effective on Tuesday."
       The news comes four days after Boeing said it would finally make the first flight of the 787 by the end of this year. Boeing is the world's top aircraft maker followed by EADS unit Airbus.
       The first test flight has been delayed repeatedly because of production problems and a two-month labour strike,hurting Boeing's credibility as it grapples with the commercial aerospace slump.At least one expert said the management change did not necessarily improve Boeing's fortunes.
       "Where we are surprised is in Boeing's choice of successor, given Jim Albaugh's lack of experience in commercial aerospace, and the less than perfect track record that IDS has had in programme execution and wins over the last couple of years under his leadership," said Rob Stallard, analyst with Macquarie Securities."We are not convinced that this move improves the situation at BCA (Boeing Commercial Airplanes)."
       He noted that Albaugh was taking on several pressing issues, the first flight of the 787, and how to proceed with the 737 programme given delivery deferrals over the last 12 months.
       Carson,63, who has led the unit since 2006, would work on transition and other projects till year end, the company said.Speaking on a media conference call,Boeing chief executive Jim McNerney said Carson made the decision to step down.
       "The decision to retire was Scott's,"McNerney said."It was based on many factors, the most important of which was resetting the 787 schedule last week and giving his successor a clear path forward on the programme."
       Albaugh,59, has headed Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) since 2002, overseeing some of Boeing's largest systems integration contracts, including the $160 billion Future Combat Systems modernisation programme and the multibillion-dollar ground-based segment of missile defence.
       "Jim is a seasoned and effective aerospace executive with substantial experience leading and integrating technically complex businesses and programs from initial development through full production and delivery," McNerney said in a statement.
       McNerney said Albaugh already has "working knowledge" of BCA and the 787 programme from his role on the senior leadership team at Boeing.
       Some analysts had questioned Al-baugh's future after the company lost several large defence competitions in recent years and saw its biggest programmes cut by Defence Secretary Robert Gates as part of a sweeping overhaul of Pentagon procurement.
       A Boeing spokesman said most IDS development and production programmes under Albaugh's watch were on time and on budget and earned solid earnings for Boeing.
       Chicago-based Boeing said Carson and Albaugh would work together to ensure a smooth transition of customer and other business relationships and that Carson would also assist on special projects for the company through year end.