31.   Seattle-based Boeing Co. is the prime contractor for the missile defense program.

32.   She sees opportunities to consolidate smaller defense contractors like herself, following the lead of the merger frenzy among prime contractors like Raytheon Co. over the last several years.

33.   Several industry observers said the favorite to be named prime contractor is the Lockheed Martin-Rockwell venture formed to win the designation.

34.   Should the Lockheed Martin-Rockwell venture be named prime contractor, the shuttle program may not change much.

35.   Some U.S.-built components, including those made by prime contractor Boeing, also are behind schedule.

36.   That bodes well for Boeing, which became prime contractor for the space station last year.

37.   The Air Force and the prime contractor, Lockheed-Martin, have fought back with lobbying, arm-twisting, and paid announcements on National Public Radio news shows.

38.   The bidding for a prime contractor to oversee all private-sector companies working on the project will open in October, said IRS spokeswoman Jodi Patterson.

39.   The Korea Electric Power Corp. is likely to be chosen as the prime contractor.

40.   The prime Japanese contractor on the FSX is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which built the Zero fighter used in World War II.