IBM, Boeing join forces

IBM Corp. and Boeing Co. are working together to pursue what they see as a $200 billion market for ground- and space-based systems used in network-centric operations. The alliance already is pursing four intelligence and eight Defense Department programs, company officials said.

The two companies will develop digital communications and information technologies necessary to share information among multiple platforms, including satellites, aircraft and handheld radios, company officials said. The two are investing jointly in research and development of software and communications.