Boeing looks to Q4 for formal launch of re-engined 737

Titlu: Boeing looks to Q4 for formal launch of re-engined 737
Sursa: flightglobal
Autor: Jon Ostrower
Data: 20 Iulie 2011

Citat :

After more than a year of speculation, Boeing has announced that it will pursue a re-engined 737, rather than developing an all-new single-aisle aircraft.

The US airframer anticipates formal launch authority for its as yet-unnamed re-engined 737 variant - which will be powered by CFM International's Leap-X engine - some time between the end of September and the end of December 2011.

Likely leading the charge forward on final aircraft configuration is Mike Bair, vice-president of advanced 737 product development, who has been spearheading the effort to determine the company's future direction in the narrowbody segment.

Boeing must now identify the required changes to the 737 to accommodate the larger fan diameter of the Leap-X engine.

The company had shelved plans earlier this year to raise the nose gear to provide additional under-wing clearance for the new powerplant. However, Boeing had again returned to that evaluation ahead of June's Paris air show to evaluate the performance trade-offs of a smaller fan that required fewer aircraft modifications.

The initial commitment to the planned re-engined aircraft came with a 100-aircraft order for the "new variant" of the 737, on top of 100 Next Generation 737 family aircraft, from American Airlines. American added options for 60 re-engined 737s, as well as 40 for current 737s.

American also placed an order for 260 Airbus A320 family aircraft, including 160 A320neos.

Boeing is advancing production of its 737 family to 42 aircraft a month by the first half of 2014, and there are strong indications of a further push in output at its Renton, Washington factory beyond its current target to meet the demand from American Airlines, as well as the follow-on customers for the new variant.

The company's plan to re-engine the 737 also provides clarity to Boeing's workforce in Washington state, which was awaiting word on the company's strategy in the narrowbody segment.

Titlu: Boeing expects more re-engined 737 orders after board approval
Sursa: flightglobal
Autor: Kerry Reals
Data: 20 Iulie 2011

Citat :

Boeing has blamed the shortage of customers for its planned re-engined 737 on the lack of board approval, but is confident orders will flood in once approval is secured.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Jim Albaugh said that "when we launch [the re-engined 737] we will see quite a number of orders for whatever we call this 737".

American Airlines today ordered 100 re-engined 737s plus 60 options as part of a huge narrowbody aircraft order which it split between Boeing and Airbus.

American Airlines chief Gerard Arpey said that he is "not in a position to say" whether the Dallas-based carrier will be the first airline to operate the re-engined 737, but "I'm happy to do that".

Titlu: Albaugh outlines reasons behind opting for re-engined 737
Sursa: flightglobal
Autor: Kerry Reals
Data: 20 Iulie 2011

Citat :

Boeing opted to re-engine the 737 rather than build an all-new narrowbody because the production system for a new aircraft was not ready.

Speaking at a press conference to discuss American Airlines' order for 100 re-engined 737s plus 60 options, Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Jim Albaugh said that "while the technology was there" to develop an all-new narrowbody, the "production system is not understood".

He added that after speaking with customers "who want certainty" on delivery schedules, the manufacturer opted to proceed with the re-engined 737.

Boeing now has to complete configuration of the re-engined 737 "over the next several weeks" and secure approval from the board.

The airframer aims to launch the programme "some time this fall", said Albaugh.

The re-engined 737 will be powered by the CFM International Leap-X engine.

Albaugh said that Boeing has had "a number of preliminary discussions" with other carriers about the planned re-engined 737.

Si inca un link interesant :
http://www.air-journal.fr/2011-07-21-american-airlines-la-double-victoire-dairbus-533116.html

E 2011 si Boeing continua tot faca upgrade-uri unui fuselaj conceput in 1950. Fain!

Totul se reduce la BANI .... Sa nu uitam ca desi conceput acum jumate de secol totusi e un succes. E mult mai ieftin sa modifice motorizarea pentru eficienta in consum decat sa proiecteze un avion complet nou.

Concurenta face la fel cu 320 NEO, atata ca modelul A320 nu are vechimea lui 737. Piata va decide care va fi mai bun.

Au cam fost sub presiune pentru ca pierdeau clienti actualmente echipati Boeing daca decideau sa lanseze un produs nou, dar mai tarziu disponibil pe piata.

Sa nu uitam ca deja American Airlines nu mai este "all-Boeing" o data cu ultima lor comanda si chiar au amenintat ca nu comanda deloc Boeing daca nu au un produs comparabil dispo imediat.

Airbus ai "inundat" piata cu A320NEO (peste 1000 de comenzi in ultimul timp) si i'a fortat pe cei de la Boeing sa aleaga remotorizarea.