Debbie Rub, who now heads the combined weapons and unmanned systems group, will take over the Global Strike division that will oversee the fixed-wing fighter aircraft programs and weapons projects.

Finally, the Electronic and Mission Systems division will merge with the Information Solutions division under the Network and Space Systems Division, which is headed by Roger Krone. He will retain his position, but Ralph Meoni, who now heads the legacy electronic systems group, will take the top position at the consolidated unit under Krone.

The restructuring takes effect Jan. 1, according to Blecher.

Company officials hope the changes bring about further operating efficiencies, producing savings that can be passed along to customers struggling in a tight economy. Since 2010, Boeing’s defense systems unit has identified $2.2 billion in savings and 30% of its executives will be let go by year’s end. “It is going to be difficult, but we are hoping that savings we identify across [2013-2015] will be on the same order of magnitude as we have accumulated to date,” Blecher says.