Company Decides Who'll Do What When 7E7 Comes Off Drawing Board

Boeing Thursday announced work share arrangements for the team that will be responsible for major structural sections of its proposed 7E7 Dreamliner.

The structures team partners, named earlier this year, will build large sections of the airplane at sites in the United States, Japan, Italy, Australia and Canada, then transport those parts to the 7E7 final assembly location in the United States.

Boeing will provide major structure to the program through work at its facilities in Frederickson (WA), Tulsa (OK), Wichita (KS), and Winnipeg, Canada; and at Hawker de Havilland in Australia. Other work packages have been assigned to Japan's Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Vought Aircraft Industries in Dallas (TX)and Italy's Alenia Aeronautica.

"The process of assigning work packages has been very thorough and deliberate," said Mike Bair, senior vice president of the 7E7 program. "We looked at the capabilities and capacities of each structures team partner and assigned work where it would be done efficiently and effectively, creating a great product for our customers and solid business cases for everyone involved."

Boeing will supply approximately 35 percent of the 7E7 structure including the vertical fin from Frederickson, the fixed and movable leading edges of the wing from Tulsa, the flight deck and part of the forward fuselage section from Wichita, the movable trailing edges from Australia and the wing-to-body fairing from Winnipeg.

MHI will be responsible for the wing box. KHI will provide the remaining part of the forward fuselage, the main landing gear wheel well and the main wing fixed trailing edge. FHI is focused on the center wing box and integration of the center wing box with the main landing gear wheel well. The total work share of the 7E7 structure for Japan is approximately 35 percent.

Vought and Alenia are teaming on their work packages, with details of where they will build different elements expected at a later date. Together, they will build the 7E7 horizontal stabilizer and the center and aft fuselage. The Vought/Alenia work statement accounts for approximately 26 percent of the 7E7 structure.

Discussions regarding the placement of the remaining structures work are ongoing. This work accounts for approximately 4 percent of the 7E7 structure.

"This is a great team of proven performers," said Bair. "I look forward to our ongoing cooperation as we move forward with the 7E7. These decisions take us one step closer to our Authority to Offer review with our board of directors."

Boeing today confirmed that the 7E7 program headquarters and development and design integration center will be in Everett, Wash.

Boeing announced earlier this year that final assembly will be in the United States and is continuing with the process of evaluating proposals received by potential final assembly locations.

The company expects to make decisions regarding the placement of 7E7 systems and other work throughout 2004. A decision regarding which engine or engines will be offered on the airplane is expected in mid-2004.

"Creating a new airplane is a tremendous undertaking," said Bair. "We have worked diligently with our partners and our Boeing sites to find the answers that will ensure the success of the program."

FMI: www.boeing.com