Manufacturer to get 'more aggressive' in sales battle with rival Airbus A340-500
Boeing's first 777-200LR is on schedule to roll out on 15 February amid signs of plans for a renewed, more aggressive sales campaign and growing confidence that the results of forthcoming flight tests will prompt fresh orders.
Although overall sales of the "Longer Range" 777 variants have steadily climbed to 81, only five orders have been placed for the -200LR to date, with the last booked as far back as November 2002. Boeing, which also aims to display the -200LR at this year's Paris air show, expects new interest from carriers looking at further expansion of point-to-point routes. Building on range increases developed for its 777-300ER stablemate, Boeing believes the aircraft will be capable of ranges up to 17,400km (9,400nm).
"That's around 900nm [1,670km] more than the A340-500," says 777 derivatives programme manager Lars Andersen, who adds that the estimate is based on assumptions the shorter aircraft will demonstrate a similar performance improvement to that seen on the -300ER. Originally expected to reach ranges of 13,300km, the -300ER is now "out to 7,940nm [14,700km]", thanks to the combined benefits of an increased take-off weight, better-than-expected fuel burn in cruise and a package of drag reduction, engine performance and weight reduction enhancements.
All aircraft will come with the enhancement package now being retrofitted to the -300ERs and prepared for full introduction on new production aircraft. The package includes adding extra vortex generators to the outboard wing. Andersen says: "We're looking at using smaller 737 Next Generation-sized vortex generators on the inboard wing at around the quarter chord line." Other features include a General Electric-developed engine enhancement kit for the GE90-115B and variable vanes in the ram air exhaust duct.
"The aircraft we are delivering now are about 0.5% better in specific fuel consumption [SFC] than the book SFC, and that's consistent. So we think we going to get a strong performance from the -200LR," Andersen says.
Based on the upgraded performance of the -300ER, which should be available in its complete form from October, Boeing claims the 777-300ER will have a 22% fuel burn/seat advantage over the Airbus A340-600 and the -200LR as much as a 25% advantage over the -500.
GUY NORRIS / SEATTLE
Source: Flight International
