Flight International - June 30, 2015 UK

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14 | Flight International | 30 June-6 July 2015 flightglobal.com

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B

oeing has submitted de-
tailed plans to possibly in-
crease 777X deliveries by 25%
to 125 aircraft per year after
2021 using one production line
in Everett, Washington, with
only minor investments re-
quired to reach that target at the
final assembly stage.
Its proposal is highlighted in a
“technical support document”
filed as part of a permit applica-
tion with a local environmental
agency, the Washington State De-
partment of Ecology. Dated last
September, it shows that Boeing
has divided the 777X production
ramp-up into two phases.
The first of these is itself split
into two parts, with the initial ef-
fort beginning a year ago with the
construction of several new pro-
duction facilities in Everett. That
work – highlighted by the crea-
tion of a massive new composite
wing fabrication and assembly
facility – supports Boeing’s plan

to begin assembling the first 777X

on schedule in 2017.

In the second part of phase

one, Boeing plans to ramp up

777X deliveries as output of older

models such as the 777-300ER,

777-200LR and 777 Freighter,

wind down.

A previously undisclosed sec-

ond phase of the project could

begin as early as 1 December

2021, according to the docu-

ments. Boeing’s production rate

could rise to “as many as 10.

777Xs per month (about 125

777Xs per year)” during this pe-

riod, the submission shows.

Despite a roughly 25% in-

crease in output, Boeing’s invest-

ment in phase two would be rela-

tively modest compared with the

initial ramp-up of the 777X to

match the current rate of 8.3 per

month by 2021.

It would only need to add tool-

ing and equipment to existing

and new facilities already erected

MANUFACTURING STEPHEN TRIMBLE WASHINGTON DC

Documents reveal

Boeing’s route to

high 777X output

Application to state environmental body shows airframer’s
likely path to achieve record rate for widebody production

to meet the suggested higher rate.

“For example, additional tape

layup machines for fabricating

wing panels might be installed in

the wing component fabrication

building, and additional spray

booths and a composite press

might be installed in the interiors

manufacturing building,” the

documents disclose.

However, they also note that the

rate increase to 10.4 aircraft per

month is a “tentative” plan and

subject to decisions to be made

later by Boeing management.

Boeing only confirms that the

first 777X is scheduled to begin

assembly in 2017 on a low-rate

initial production line, which is

being erected as part of a new ex-

tension of the sprawling wide-

body aircraft assembly complex

in Everett.

“No future rate decisions be-

yond the current 777 rate have

been made at this point,” Boe-

ing adds.

But the company needs to an-

ticipate “any and all future possi-

ble requirements”, Boeing says.

“Part of this evaluation requires

Boeing to take action years in ad-

vance to ensure environmental

permits, tools and parts are com-

plete and ready to support our

potential requirements.”

FULL CAPACITY

There is more evidence though

that Boeing has set an annual out-

put of 125 aircraft as a maximum

target for the 777X programme. In

2013, Boeing sent a request for

proposals to several US states

while searching for alternatives

to Everett for basing the compos-

ite wing facility and 777X final

assembly line. That noted such

BillyPix
Although the current 777-300ER remains popular, Boeing has around 250 unsold slots for the big twin