Boeing 777X

src: www.boeing.com

The Boeing 777X is a new series of the long-range wide-body twin-engine Boeing 777 family that is under development by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The 777X is to feature GE9X new engines, new composite wings with folding wingtips, a denser cabin, and technologies from the Boeing 787. The 777X series was launched in November 2013 with two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9. The 777-8 has seating for 365 and range of over 8,700 nmi (16,110 km) and the 777-9 has seating for 414 and range of over 7,600 nmi (14,075 km). The -9 is to fly in the first quarter of 2019 with deliveries to begin in December 2019.

Video Boeing 777X

Development

Initial design

In 2010-2011, Boeing refined its response to the revamped Airbus A350 with three 777X models, targeting a firm configuration in 2015, flying in late 2017 or 2018 and entering service by 2019. The 407 passenger -9X should stretch the -300ER by four frames to 250 ft 11 in (76.48 m), for a 759,000 lb (344 t) MTOW and powered by 99,500 lbf (443 kN) engines, targeting per-seat 21% better fuel burn and 16% better operating cost. The smaller 353-seat -8X was to stretch the -200ER by ten frames to 228 ft 2 in (69.55 m), with a 694,000 lb (315 t) MTOW and 88,000 lbf (390 kN) turbofans to compete with the A350-900 with improvements over the -200ER like the -9X over the -300ER. A -8LX with the -9X MTOW would have a 9,480 nmi (10,910 mi; 17,560 km) range. The current -200LR/300ER have a 775,000 lb (352 t) MTOW.

A new CFRP wing would be 213 or 225 ft; 2,560 or 2,700 in (65 or 68.6 m) wide with blended winglets, or up to 233 ft 5 in (71.1 m) with raked wingtip for a 10% larger wing area. It would fall into ICAO aerodrome code F like the 747-8 and A380 but with 22 ft 6 in (6.9 m) folding wingtips it would stay within the 213 ft 4 in (65 m) code E like current 777s. Horizontal stabilisers would be extended.

Engine selection

The GE90-115B of the 777-200LR/300ER already has a 42:1 overall pressure ratio and 23:1 HP compressor ratio. Rolls-Royce Plc proposed its 132 in (337 cm) fan RB3025 concept with a 12:1 bypass ratio and 62:1 overall pressure ratio, targeting more than 10% better fuel burn over the GE90-115B and 15% over its Trent 800 powering the 777, with a composite fan and a core derived from the Trent 1000 with advanced HP materials. Pratt & Whitney responded with a 100,000 lbf (440 kN) PW1000G architecture. GE Aviation proposed the 128 in (325 cm) fan diameter GE9X with a 10:1 bypass ratio, a 60:1 overall pressure ratio and 27:1 HP compressor ratio for a 10% fuel burn improvement.

In March 2013, Boeing selected the GE9X with a 132 in (335 cm) fan at this time, its new core first run is expected in 2014, design should be frozen in 2015, the first engine will run in 2016 before flight testing in 2017 and certification in 2018. It will be the largest fan by GE. In the rest of 2013, thrust was bumped to 102,000 and 105,000 lbf (450 and 470 kN) to support the MTOW growing from 769,413 to 775,000 lb (349,000 to 351,534 kg) and increasing the payload-range, with even 108,000 lbf (480 kN) envisioned.

Customers bemoan the loss of engine competition, like Air Lease Corporation's CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy who wants a choice of engines. Airbus points out that handling more than one engine type adds millions of dollars to an airliner cost. Pratt and Whitney said "Engines are no longer commodities...the optimization of the engine and the aircraft becomes more relevant."

Launch

In 2012, with the 737 MAX in development and the 787-10 launch in preparation, Boeing decided to slow 777X development to reduce risk with introduction still forecast for 2019. On May 1, 2013, Boeing's board of directors approved selling the 353-seat -8LX to replace the 777-300ER from 2021, after the larger 406-seat -9X.

On September 18, 2013, Lufthansa became its launch customer by selecting 34 Boeing 777-9X airliners, along with 25 Airbus A350-900s to replace its 22 747-400s and 48 A340-300/600s for its long-haul fleet. The design work will be distributed between Charleston, Huntsville, Long Beach, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Moscow.

At the November 2013 Dubai Airshow, the -8X for 350 passengers over a 9,300 nmi (17,220 km) range and the -9X, seating more than 400 over 8,200 nmi (15,185 km) were launched with 259 orders and commitments for US$95 billion at list prices, the largest commercial aircraft launch by dollar value: Emirates ordered 150, Qatar Airways 50 and Etihad Airways 25, in addition to the September 2013 Lufthansa commitment for 34 aircraft. Boeing dropped the variants' "X" suffix, while keeping the 777X program name at the 2015 Dubai Airshow.

In June 2017, Lufthansa was considering delaying 777X deliveries, and could limit its -9 orders to 20 and order more A350s. Due to its large order, Emirates will become the first operator in mid-2020 instead of Lufthansa.

Production

In December 2014, Boeing began construction on a new 367,000 sq ft (34,100 m²) composites facility in St. Louis to be completed in 2016 and needing 700 jobs, to build 777X parts with six autoclaves for the wing and empennage parts, starting in 2017. The 787 'surge' line at Everett would be converted into a 777X early production line by the end of 2015. Boeing built a new 1,300,000 sq ft (120,000 m²) factory in Everett, with a 120 ft (37 m) autoclave. A robot winds fiber for the wings.

The first 777X is expected to roll off the ex 787 'surge' line in 2018. The -9 firm-configuration was reached in August 2015 and assembly of the initial aircraft will begin in 2017 for a December 2019 introduction advanced from the previously scheduled 2020.

With a current 777 production rate of 100 per year, 380 on order at the end of 2013 and no orders at the most recent February 2014 Singapore Airshow, bridging the gap to the 777X deliveries starting from 2020 is a challenge: to stimulate orders, sales of current 777s can be paired with 777Xs and used 777s can be converted to freighters to be sold and stimulate new sales.

2017

In April 2017, the initial one-piece wing spar came onto the assembly jig and is about to enter lay-up in June, first parts assembly for the initial -9, a static test airframe is underway in the purpose-built wing center near Everett, Washington. Four -9s and a fatigue-test airframe along two -8s will be built for testing. Tests of avionics, power and integrated systems continue in Boeing Field laboratories and will be integrated into an "Airplane Zero" in 2017 as 70% detailed design was done in June 2017.

The assembly of the first composite wing test example began in Everett in late September 2017 with its top section lowered into a jig for robotic drilling. Boeing launched the 777-9 production on October 23 with the wing spar drilling, its maiden flight is scheduled in the first quarter of 2019, one year before its introduction, perhaps with Emirates Airline.

On November 7, 90% of the engineering drawings were released, with the airframe before the systems: 99% of the wing and 98% of the fuselage drawings are released. The detailed design should be complete before 2018 as avionics, power and other systems are prepared for ground tests. Number 1 and 6 aircraft will be used for ground-tests and four 777-9s (No. 2 to 5) will be involved for the flight-test and certification campaign, with final assembly to start in 2018 before roll-out the same year, and two 777-8s will come later.

The 777X production techniques could be major cost-cutters. The Fuselage Automated Upright Build (FUAB) system was developed and quietly tested in Anacortes, Washington, 40 miles north of the 777 Everett assembly plant. A major leap in automated production, it drills the tens of thousands of holes in the fuselage faster, more accurately and safer. The wings are the first produced by Boeing in composite and not out-sourced like for the 787, largely automated too. The specifically built billion-dollar factory has excess capacity, laying the foundation for the company's New Midsize Airplane (NMA) and later the New Small Airplane to replace the 737.

2018

In February 2018, Subaru (ex-Fuji Heavy Industries) completed the first aluminum/titanium center wingbox integrated with main landing gear wheel wells at its 11,600 m² Handa factory completed in April 2016, started in 2017 and equipped with automatic riveters, transfer and painting machines.

Boeing's first composite wing spars, stringers and skin panels are formed in the $1 billion Composite Wing Center before assembly on a new horizontal build line. In February 2018, its wing components were ready to go through assembly as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the 787 composite wings manufacturer, advised Boeing on the wing assembly. At this time, 93-95% of the design was released: complete for structures and in progress for systems and engine installation before interiors.

Fuselage subassemblies started shipping on February 7: aft fuselage panels from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, center and forward fuselage panels from Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the 11/45 center wingbox from Subaru. In March, fuselage assembly will start in Everett at a temporary production line between the current 747-8 and 777 assembly lines to avoid disrupting the 777-300ER production. The static airframe and the first flight-test aircraft bodies will be joined in the second quarter of 2018 and in June-July, respectively.

Scheduled for the start of 2018, the GE9X first flight has been delayed by the variable stator vane actuator arms redesign but the slip should not change the engine certification schedule or the first flight of the 777X. The flight-test engines will be shipped later in 2018, before the year-end roll out and first flight expected in February 2019. During the new component development, two temporary engines will be placed on the first flight-test aircraft. Wing assembly is difficult, with the light but strong carbon-fiber material less forgiving than traditional aluminum, and aircraft systems integration in a special demonstration lab is not as quick as planned.

The first 777-9 fuselage assembly started in March 2018. In May 2018, Qatar Airways head Akbar Al Baker was thinking development was a couple of months late but Boeing will catch up, except if there would be certification issues.

Maps Boeing 777X

Design

The 777X will have a new longer composite wing with folding wing tips. The internal cabin width is increased from the previous 777 models' 231 to 235 in (587 to 597 cm) through thinner interior cabin walls and better insulation to allow 18.0 in (46 cm) wide seats in 10-abreast economy. The 777X will feature cabin design details requiring structural changes that were originally introduced on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner: larger windows, higher ceilings, more humidity and lowered cabin altitude to 6,000 ft (1,800 m).

For the 400+ seats 777-9, new engines should improve fuel consumption by 10%, with the longer, carbon-fiber wings adding a projected 7% improvement. As 4 to 5% of fuel savings is lost from the 12 tons heavier basic structure of the larger airliner, the net fuel efficiency gain is projected to be 12 to 13%. Ten-abreast seating instead of nine with a longer fuselage enable a fuel burn per seat reduction of 20% compared to the 365 seat 777-300ER. The longer-range 355 seats 777-8 should have a 13% improvement in fuel consumption with 10 fewer seats than the -300ER.

To stay within the size category of the current 777 with a less than 213 ft (65 m) wingspan, it will feature 11 feet (3.5 m) folding wingtips supplied by Liebherr Aerospace. The mechanism was demonstrated for Aviation Week at the Boeing Everett Factory in October 2016: the movement should be complete in 20 seconds and be locked in place at the end. Specific alerts and procedures are needed to handle a malfunction.

Its maximum takeoff weight is targeted for 775,000 lb (351.5 t) like the 777-300ER but Boeing hopes to have at least a 10,000 lb (4.5 t) margin at introduction. Boeing claims the -8 will be 4% more fuel efficient and cost effective than the A350-1000, while the -9 would be 12% more fuel efficient and 11% more cost effective. Lufthansa, when it ordered both, stated the A350-900 and the Boeing 777-9X will consume an average of 2.9 L/100 km per passenger.

Its flight deck is similar to the 787 cockpit with large displays and head-up displays, plus touchscreens replacing cursor control devices and folding wingtips controls. As existing regulations do not cover the folding wingtips, the FAA issues special conditions, including proving their load-carrying limits, demonstrating their handling qualities in a crosswind when up, alerting the crew when they are not correctly positioned while the mechanism and controls will be further inspected.

src: www.boeingimages.com

Variants

777-8

The 777-8 is a shortened derivative of the 777-9, 229 ft (69.8 m) long, between the 209 ft 1 in (63.7 m) 777-200 and 242 ft 4 in (73.9 m) 777-300. It will seat typically 365 passengers with a range of 8,690 nmi (16,090 km). It would succeed the ultra-long-range -200LR, and competes with the Airbus A350-1000. Production on the -8 will follow the -9 around two years later. It could be the basis of a freighter version which could be available 18 to 24 months after the -8 introduction.

777-9

The 777-9 is a 9.4 ft (2.9 m) longer derivative of the 777-300ER for a 251 ft 9 in (76.7 m) length. It will seat typically 414 passengers over a range of 7,525 nmi (13,940 km). Boeing froze its design in August 2015 and should start first assembly in 2017, for an introduction in December 2019. Its operating empty weight grew from the 777-300ER's 373,500 to 400,000 lb (169,400 to 181,400 kg), just over, for the -9X target. The 777-9X should be longer than the previous longest airliner, the 250 ft 2 in (76.25 m) Boeing 747-8.

In 2014, Aspire Aviation estimated its manufacturer empty weight at 362,000 and 415,000 lb (164,000 and 188,000 kg) for its operating empty weight with 300 seats in four classes. In 2017, crowd-sourced stock advising website Seeking Alpha estimated a 167,829 kg (370,000 lb) manufacturer empty weight and a 184,600 kg (407,000 lb) operating empty weight.

777-10X

Boeing is proposing to stretch the -9 by four rows of seats to accommodate 450 passengers in a 777-10X to compete with the Airbus A380 superjumbo. It has approached several airlines including Emirates, the largest operator of both the 777 and the A380, seating between 489 and 615 passengers. The potential 263 feet (80 m) long airplane (12 ft more) is competing against a hypothetical stretch of the A350-1000 for Singapore Airlines.

src: i.ytimg.com

Orders

In December 2013, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific ordered 21 777-9 airliners with deliveries from 2021 to 2024.

Emirates finalized its order for 150 777X aircraft, consisting of 115 777-9s and 35 777-8s in July 2014. On July 16, Qatar Airways finalized its order for 50 777-9 airplanes, with purchase rights for 50 more 777-9s. On July 31, Japan's All Nippon Airways finalized an order for 20 Boeing 777-9s.

In December 2016, Iran Air signed an agreement with Boeing for 80 airliners including 15 777-9s. This is not listed as a firm order by Boeing as of January 2018.

In February 2017, Singapore Airlines signed a letter of intent with Boeing for 20 777-9 and 19 787-10 airliners; this was firmed in June 2017. The three Arabian Gulf carriers (Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways) hold 235 orders, 69% of the 340 commitments, which aren't as secure as they were: Etihad's widespread investing strategy backfires as it reduces feed sources, making it harder to fill the 777X; Emirates demand is slowing and it may defer deliveries, having the smallest sovereign wealth fund backing; Qatar Airways have economic concerns and suffer from the Qatar diplomatic crisis with neighbors.

src: static.seekingalpha.com

Specifications

src: i.ytimg.com

See also

Related development

• Boeing 777

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Airbus A350 XWB

Related lists

• List of civil aircraft

src: d.ibtimes.co.uk

Notes

src: i.ytimg.com

References

src: 50skyshades.com

Further reading

• "Lufthansa will be a launch customer for new Boeing 777X aircraft program". Boeing. 
• "Boeing 777 - Technical Information". Boeing.  (unavailable)
• Jon Ostrower (September 14, 2011). "Next generation 777 comes into focus". Flight International.  or Jon Ostrower (September 14, 2011). "Boeing's 777-9X comes into focus with a massive CFRP wing". Flightblogger. 
• Daniel Tsang (September 14, 2011). "New Boeing 777X likely to be a highly efficient derivative". Aspire Aviation. 
• Daniel Tsang (February 9, 2012). "Boeing develops 777X to challenge Airbus A350". Aspire Aviation. 
• Jon Ostrower (February 13, 2012). "Boeing studies ultra long-range 777-8LX concept". Flightglobal. 
• Jon Ostrower (March 7, 2012). "Boeing homes in on late-2012 launch for 777 successor". Flight International. 
• Jon Ostrower (March 7, 2012). "GE plans 10% fuel burn improvement for GE9X engine". Flight International. 
• Charles Alcock (June 16, 2013). "GE Pushes Envelope With GE9X for New Boeing 777". Aviation International News. 
• Tim Hepher (July 3, 2013). "Elbows fly in Airbus and Boeing battle over mini-jumbos". Reuters. 
• General Electric (June 17, 2013). The New GE9X Engine. 
• "Boeing Statement on Lufthansa Selection of Boeing 777X for Future Long-Haul Fleet" (Press release). Boeing. September 19, 2013. 
• Guy Norris (November 17, 2013). "Boeing Launches 777X in Dubai Order Boom". Aviation Week. 
• "Dubai Air Show: Boeing Leads Order Books Race". Business. BBC. November 17, 2013. 
• Steve Wilhelm (November 13, 2013). "Boeing Launches 777X with Orders for 259 Jets Worth $95B". Puget Sound Business Journal. Seattle, Washington: American City Business Journals. 
• "Boeing 777X fact sheet" (PDF). Boeing. June 2014. 
• "Boeing breaks ground for new manufacturing plant in St. Louis". The Manufacturer. Dec 13, 2014. 
• Dominic Gates (June 8, 2017). "Boeing revs up robots for 777X in Everett factory, signals that a 797 awaits". Seattle Times. 

src: i2.wp.com

External links

• Official website

Source of article : Wikipedia