Boeing is studying a freighter version of its largest 737 model, the -900, which would borrow systems already developed for the -700 quick-change model in service with the US military, writes Max Kingsley-Jones.
The -900F study was revealed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group president Alan Mulally at last week's Cargo Facts ninth Annual Aircraft Symposium in Seattle, Washington. "There's lots of interest in a freighter version of the 737-900," Mulally said.
US package carrier FedEx Express is evaluating freighter versions of the 737 and 757as potential replacements for its ageing 727 fleet, and FedEx Aviation Services general manager fleet development and acquisitions Phil Blum says that the -900F is "something Boeing has shown to us, but its one of a number of options we've looked at".
The US manufacturer has developed a maindeck cargo door-equipped 737-700 for the US military, which has also been sold to a civil operator, Aramco of Saudi Arabia.
Boeing says that the 737-900F is purely a development study, and declines to reveal any further details on the aircraft. Flight International estimates that an all-cargo version of the 180-seater would be able to accommodate around 11 standard 88 x 125in (2.24 x 3.18m) pallets.
This compares with eight on the 737-700QC and -300 converted freighter, nine on the -400 converted freighter and 14 on the much heavier, longer range 757-200 package freighter. The -900 has a lower-deck bulk cargo volume of 51.7m3 (1,822ft3).
Source: Flight International
