Boeing has effectively completed its major system selections for the 7E7, with the award of cargo-handling and ice-protection contracts, the latter representing the first use on a commercial airliner of an electrothermal anti-ice system.
Goodrich's cargo-handling system contract also includes the floor panels of the cargo hold itself, and is the company's eighth work package for the aircraft. UK-based Ultra Electronics will provide the wing ice-protection system and will be the lead contractor on the effort, responsible for overall integration, control software and electronic equipment.
GKN Aerospace will provide the composite mat for the wing ice- protection system, which is based on non-bleed technology originally developed for helicopters and other applications. The system comprises a sprayed metal matrix element encapsulated by polymer composite materials fixed on, or in, the wing leading edges.
An electro-thermal system is required for the 7E7 because it does not use bleed air extracted from the engine to power systems. Ultra and GKN developed a system originally for helicopter blades, propeller spinners, flight-control surfaces, engine and equipment inlets and is in use on the Eurocopter EH101 and Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey.
Boeing has not confirmed reports that it is preparing to formally redesignate the 7E7 as the 787. The allocation, if confirmed, will follow on from the 777, Boeing's last all-new model which was launched 10 years ago.
GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
Source: Flight International
