Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Boeing has unveiled a detailed revised timetable for development of the growth 777-200X and -300X, calling for delivery of the first General Electric GE90-115B-powered aircraft within 44 months of formal launch.
The schedule is based on a formal launch for the programme by the end of the year, but is thought to include some margin for delay. Boeing says it is "talking actively" to the airlines, and with regards to a formal launch, Randy Baseler, vice president marketing, says "...probably some time towards the beginning of next year we could come to some closure on that."
Boeing plans to finalise the 777X's baseline specifications and nominal performance shortly. Next year will be taken up with engineering design work, leading to the aircraft's configuration being frozen by March 2001. Engineering design release will follow by September and first test run of the GE90-115B a month later.
Both versions will have a maximum take-off weight of 340.5t (750,000lb), a strengthened 777-300 horizontal stabiliser and wing, extended wingbox and raked tip, reinforced vertical stabiliser, fuselage sections and nosewheel, revised nacelle and strut, new main landing gear, wheels, tyres and brakes. The 301-seat 777-200X will have a range of 16,300km (8,800nm), while the larger -300X will be able to carry 359 passengers over a distance of 13,500km.
The 777-300X will also have a semi-levered main gear and supplementary electronic tailskid. The shorter -200X will incorporate new rudder power control units, and provision for three auxiliary fuel tanks in the aft cargo hold.
The current schedule calls for 777-300X development to lead the -200X, although Boeing officials caution that this could be reversed, depending on customer demand. Boeing expects that the "major part" of its forecast sales of 500 777Xs will be for the -300X.
Assembly of the first stretched 777-300X version is due to begin in 2002 with a roll-out and US Federal Aviation Administration certification of the engine targeted for November of that year. The first flight is scheduled for the following month, along with the start of assembly of the first ultra-long haul 777-200X.
Boeing is aiming for FAA certification of the 777-300X by August 2003 and to deliver the first production aircraft in September that year. Roll-out and first flight of the -200X is slated for April and May 2003, respectively, with certification following by the end of the year and deliveries beginning in January 2004.
This schedule, if adhered to, would put the 777-300X around 15 months behind the first delivery of the competing Airbus Industrie A340-600 in mid 2002. First airline delivery of the -200X trails the A340-500 by a similar margin.
Source: Flight International
