BOEING PLANS to launch the next 777 derivative, the 250-seat -100X "shrink" aircraft, within the next 15 months, according to the company's commercial airplane group president Ron Woodard.
The company hopes to have the first aircraft in service by May 1999. Preparatory work is already under way, and Boeing is "extremely confident" of launching the aircraft, says Woodard.
The planned -100X "shrink" version of the 777 will feature many of the reinforced structure modifications being incorporated into the 777-300, which was formally launched at the show (Flight International, 7-13 June). The two aircraft will also share the same structural weights and engine thrust ratings.
Boeing launched the stretched 777-300 with orders for a total of 31 aircraft from All Nippon Airways (ANA), Cathay Pacific Airways, Korean Airlines (KAL) and Thai Airways International.
The -300 order book consists of 20 new orders and the conversion of 11 existing, 777 orders and options to the new stretch version. The four launch contracts are worth approximately $3.1 billion.
ANA placed the largest new order, with the purchase of ten 777-300s and options on five aircraft. The first ANA stretch aircraft will enter service in June 1998. The Japanese carrier already has 18 777-200 on order.
Thai ordered six new-300 aircraft, in addition to, its earlier purchase of eight-200. Its first stretch aircraft will enter service in September 1998.
KAL has increased its existing 777 order to 12 aircraft with the addition of four new -300s. It has also converted four of its eight-200s, to the stretch and will accept its first aircraft in June 1998.
Cathay Pacific converted seven of its 11 777s on order to the -300 and will be the first carrier to operate the stretch from May 1998. The airline also has options for a further 11 aircraft and is expected to decide within 18 months on converting these to the stretch version.
The 18 aircraft ordered by ANA and KAL will be powered by derated versions of the Pratt & Whitney PW4098 growth engine. The remaining 13 -300s for Cathay Pacific and Thai will be fitted with 400kN (90,000lb)-thrust and 420kN variants of the Rolls-Royce Trent 800.
The -300 stretch is the first major derivative of the 777 aircraft. It will feature a 10m-longer fuselage, strengthened airframe, inboard wing and landing gear. The aircraft will seat up to 550 passengers in a single class configuration - 20% more than the -200.
It will have a baseline maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 260,000kg with a 375kN engine. The -300 aircraft's structure has been designed to go to a 300,000kg MTOW, with higher growth engines up to 420kN.
Source: Flight International
