Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told financial analysts Tuesday that the aviation giant "will manage through" a potential strike by union machinists in the St. Louis area.

The company said it was preparing for a strike after a vote among members that looks set to hit multiple production plants.

Boeing's second-quarter loss narrowed and revenue improved as the aircraft manufacturer delivered more commercial planes in the period.

Boeing's quarterly losses more than halved and were much smaller than analysts' predictions as the U.S. planemaker ramped up jet production and deliveries, recovering from a regulatory crisis and a major strike that halted most production last year.

Countries striking agreements with the United States have pledged to buy more Boeing planes, but it’s not clear whether those orders were the result of President Trump’s tactics.

The U.S. made a massive strategic mistake by choosing the sleek F-35 over the “ugly” but brilliant Boeing X-32 in the Joint Strike Fighter competition. -While unconventional in appearance, the X-32 was designed for simplicity,