WASHINGTON—New orders for durable goods increased $12.4 billion or 5.7 percent in February to $232.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday. Orders have increased five of the past six months.

America’s manufacturing sector gained 14,000 jobs in February, according to the latest data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Aircraft Technologies Inc. makes sinks, toilets and other assemblies for airframe manufacturers, completion centers, and maintenance and repair facilities.

On May 22, 2012, after eight years of preparation, Space Exploration Technologies (better known as SpaceX) launched the Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft traveled more than 200 miles to reach its destination: the International Space Station (ISS).

A fully automatic stripping and crimping system might be the “glamour” technology of wire harness assembly shops. However, there’s still plenty of work for handheld electric, pneumatic and manually powered crimping tools.

WASHINGTON—Some 37 states have applied to the Federal Aviation Administration to become one of six test hubs for commercial unmanned aerial vehicles.

MOBILE, AL—Airbus will begin construction of its assembly plant here April 8. Aircraft production is set to begin in 2015 with the first aircraft delivery in 2016.

SEATTLE—Boeing Co. says the first flight test of its reworked battery system for the 787 Dreamliner went “according to plan,” enabling it to move on to formal testing. The successful mission Monday means Boeing can conduct a second flight test.

SEATTLE—Boeing Co. will lay off approximately 800 Seattle-area machinists by the end of 2013 following completion of certain work on its 787 and 747-8 jumbo jets.

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—Boeing Co. will pay $12.5 million for about 320 acres across the street from its 787 assembly plant here.