Boeing chose to locate the defense systems offices in the St. Louis area because of the role of the space and aircraft programs of the former McDonnell Douglas location, and bipartisan support from area politicians.

[8] In 2016, Boeing moved the division headquarters from St. Louis to Arlington, Virginia in the Washington, D.C. area and located close to The Pentagon.

[9] On October 26, 2020, Boeing was sanctioned by the Chinese government due to arm sales to Taiwan.

[11] Boeing BDS has four divisions focused on vertical lift; mobility, surveillance and bombers; air dominance; and space, intelligence and weapons systems.

In November 2010, Boeing Defense, Space & Security was selected by NASA for consideration for potential contract awards for heavy lift launch vehicle system concepts, and propulsion technologies.