Submarine PR is when a company manufactures news out of nothing and gets the press to cover it. This contract is actually news. If this story was shaped by Boeing PR, it's just straight ahead regular PR.
Submarine PR is always news. It's not always 'manufactured'. It's just happens to be coverage that subtly puts the client in a better light.
that's just PR - PR companies wouldn't do so well if they pushed stories that showed their clients in a negative light.