Boeing has formalised agreements with a consortium of five Japanese suppliers to produce large parts for the 777X programme.
The latest agreement formalises a memorandum signed in June last year between Boeing, Japan Aircraft Development Corporation (JADC) and Japan Aircraft Industries (JAI) – the latter representing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), ShinMaywa Industries and NIPPI Corporation.
Under the deal, the five Japanese companies will be responsible for producing around 21% of the 777-8X and -9X’s components, including centre wing sections, pressure bulkhead, main landing gear wells, doors, wing components and wing-body fairings.
All five Japanese companies are already major Boeing suppliers, and have a major workshare on the in-production 777 series.
“The signing of this contract is an important milestone for JADC and JAI,” said Shigeru Murayama, JADC chairman and KHI president. “The JAI companies are investing in new facilities and introducing robotic and other automated systems to ensure they deliver high-quality products on time every time. This is a measure of their commitment to the success of the 777X.”
To support the 777X contract, FHI is building a new assembly facility at its Handa plant for the production of centre wing sections. The investment is part of a wider Y10 billion ($80.6 million) capital investment programme to produce 777X components.
Separate to the JAI agreement, in March Boeing also selected Japanese company Nabtesco to supply acutators for the aircraft.
The 777X has firm orders for 306 aircraft from six customers, and is set to enter production in 2017. First deliveries are targeted for 2020.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
