"Work stopped as IDS employees around the world -- from interns to vice presidents to the business unit's CEO -- took part in a four-hour course, emphasizing the company's commitment to the highest of ethical standards and integrity," the company said in a statement.

Also taking part in the training, which included how to handle proprietary information, were the entire staff of Boeing's Washington office and its Phantom Works research and development unit, the company said.

The Pentagon last week revoked one billion dollars worth of government contracts awarded to Boeing after it concluded the company had violated federal law during the bid process for those contracts.

The defense department also reassigned seven rocket launches to Boeing's main rival, Lockheed Martin, and temporarily barred Boeing from seeking further government satellite launch business.

Lockheed is suing Boeing for allegedly taking more than 37,000 proprietary documents from Lockheed in the run up to the 1998 bid to develop a new rocket launcher for spy satellites.

Boeing, which made no mention of that matter, said Wednesday's training was part of a longstanding company initiative.

"Ethics training is not a new practice for Boeing employees," it said.

"Each year, the company strives for 100 percent participation in annual ethics training."

WAR.WIRE