Boeing Stock Wobbles After U.S. Army Grounds Apache Helicopters

A Boeing Apache helicopter. Coming into Monday trading, Boeing stock was up about 7% year to date and down about 2% over the past 12 months, according to FactSet. (TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)

Key Points

• The U.S. Army has temporarily grounded its Boeing-manufactured Apache helicopters following a fatal crash near Fort Hood, Texas.
• The grounding will remain in effect until the Army has a better understanding of the root cause of the accident.
• Boeing shares fell 0.2% in early trading on Monday following the announcement.

The U.S. Army has temporarily grounded its Apache helicopters after a tragic crash near Fort Hood, Texas, which cost the lives of two service members.

“We mourn these aviators, and our deepest condolences remain with their families, friends, and unit during this extraordinarily difficult time,” said the Army in a news release. The grounding “will remain in effect until we have a better understanding of the root cause of the accident.”

Apache helicopters are manufactured by Boeing . Shares of the commercial aerospace company were down 0.2% in early trading on Monday, while S&P 500 futures were up 0.2%. Boeing didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the grounding.

The Army has been flying the twin-engine attack helicopters named for the southwestern Native American tribe for more than 40 years. Typically, two crew members fly and man weapons, which include guns, missiles, and rockets. (The aircraft’s chain guns can fire up to 650 rounds a minute.) Recently, Apache helicopters have been used in counter-drone operations in Iran.

Boeing has made thousands of Apaches over time. The U.S. military operates hundreds, along with many U.S. allies.

Boeing’s defense division reported second-quarter sales of $7.5 billion, up 13% year over year. The division lost $15 million. Inflation, fixed-price contracts, and delivery delays across some programs have led to weaker-than-hoped-for performance. Things have been improving though. In 2025, Boeing’s defense and space business lost $128 million. In 2024, the loss was $5.4 billion.

Turning around the defense business matters to investors, but Boeing remains mainly about commercial airplanes. Delivering more jets is key for the stock. Boeing delivered 600 jets in 2025. It’s expected to deliver about 670 in 2026, rising to more than 800 by 2028.

Analysts expected about $10 billion in 2028 free cash flow in 2028, up from about $2 billion in 2026. Boeing used about $2 billion in cash in 2025.

Write to Al Root at allen.root@barrons.com.

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8