Boeing is talking to Japanese manufacturers about involvement in the 717 programme as it studies options for increasing production of the 100-seater beyond 2000.
The company says the talks, involving Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are to find a second subcontractor for wing manufacture. It denies reports that the Japanese would take over the work from Hyundai of South Korea, which last month produced its first wing set from a kit made by the former McDonnell Douglas Canada factory.
"We are actually looking at other subassembly second source candidates in the event that market demand requires production to increase beyond our current capability," says Boeing's Douglas Products Division. "The company is hoping production will increase and we want to be ready."
Reports from Japan had suggested that the wing work could be transferred because of the economic recession affecting South Korea, but Boeing claims the confusion was caused by misinterpretation of comments made in Tokyo by Commercial Airplane Group president Ron Woodard.
The first South Korean-made wing is for the fifth production 717-200, and is en route to California by sea. It is due to arrive at the Tracor site in Palmdale in early August for the wings to be joined into one unit before being transported to the Long Beach final assembly line in early October.
The wings are the first of 11 sets being made from Canadian-manufactured kits in Hyundai's newly opened site. In addition to the subassembly kits, the Canadian factory is also supplying 11 complete wing sets directly to Tracor for joining. The first all-South Korean-made wing set, for the 23rd production aircraft, is due to arrive in Long Beach in September 1999.
First flight of the aircraft is still earmarked for early September.
Source: Flight International
