Boeing's 747 Large Cargo Freighter Development on Plan

Boeing.com ^ | Feb. 22, 2005 | Staff

[Paleo Conservative]

SEATTLE, Feb. 22, 2005 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today said development of the 747 Large Cargo Freighter is proceeding according to plan and the modified freighters will be ready to support final assembly of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2007.

"We have a top-notch team of engineers working to design what will be one of the most unique airplanes flying," said 787 Vice President of Manufacturing and Quality Scott Strode. "This kind of modification is an engineer's dream. It's an extremely challenging project, and it's essential to the success of the Dreamliner."

Boeing announced last week the critical "swing zone" of the freighter, the part of the Large Cargo Freighter's aft fuselage that opens to allow loading and unloading of the 787's large composite structures, is being designed in partnership with Gamesa Aeronautica of Spain. Gamesa is the first Spanish supplier supporting the Dreamliner program.

Boeing also said today that engineers from Boeing Rocketdyne, located in Canoga Park, Calif., are assisting its structural design team in Everett, Wash., with changes to the Large Cargo Freighter's cockpit area, the only part of the airplane that will be pressurized. Strode said the work is focused on modifications to the upper and lower decks, and relocation of several systems in the forward section of the aircraft.

Engineers at the Boeing Design Center in Moscow are helping design the freighter's enlarged upper fuselage and rear fuselage, as well as the main cargo deck floor and "transition zone" that marries the new structure to the existing airplane structure. The expanded girth of the Large Cargo Freighter will hold three times the cargo by volume of the 747-400 freighters flying today.

The design supplier for the pressure bulkhead that joins the cockpit area to the fuselage will be named after contracts are finalized. No design changes are necessary to the freighter's wings, and Boeing engineers will extend the airplane's vertical fin by five feet to aid the pilots' control during flight.

The Large Cargo Freighter team achieved firm configuration of the airplane in October. Once the detailed design work is completed, the components will largely be provided by current 747 suppliers, Strode said. Those parts will then be shipped to Taipei, where the airplanes will be modified by Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation (EGAT), a joint venture between EVA Air and General Electric, and part of Taiwan 's Evergreen Group.

Systems updates will be provided by the existing 747 suppliers.

Boeing has decided the airplane will remain without a livery until an operator for the airplanes is chosen later this year. "We know Boeing will not operate these airplanes," Strode said. "We are talking with a number of interested parties, and we expect that branding of the airplane will be part of the negotiation process."

Two Large Cargo Freighters will be needed to support initial 787 production. Two 747-400s that will be converted to the new configuration were purchased by Boeing last year. Boeing continues looking for a third airplane that will enter service later. Certification of the first Large Cargo Freighter will occur in 2006, with the airplane returning to service in 2007 to support final assembly of the first Dreamliners.

The 787 is an all-new family of mid-sized airplanes that will provide exceptional fuel efficiencies for airlines and superior comfort for passengers. It is to enter service in 2008. Boeing has 191 announced firm orders and commitments for the 787 from 15 airlines.

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[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think I read that Boeing is selling off its Wichita facilities used for non - military products, which this would seem to be.

[GarySpFc]

That's true. The Wichita commerical division was sold to a Canadian company.

[Paleo Conservative]

http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2004/11/15/daily29.html

November 18, 2004

Boeing gets Russian help on 7E7 Ken Vandruff

The Boeing Co. is turning to Russian engineers to help design a modified 747 to carry parts of the new 7E7 Dreamliner to final assembly.

The company entered a five-year strategic partnership agreement with the Russian Ministry for Industry and Energy. The details were disclosed after a visit to Moscow by Boeing (NYSE: BA) CEO Harry Stonecipher.

Under the agreement, more than 350 engineers will work with the Boeing design center in Moscow to develop a special 747 freighter that can carry the wing and fuselage assemblies of the 7E7 from various subcontractors around the world to Boeing's final assembly plant in Everett, Wash. Major assemblies for the 7E7 will be produced in Japan, Italy and Boeing Wichita.

The modified 747 must be ready to fly in 2006 when Boeing plans to start production on the Dreamliner.

The deal also allows Boeing to acquire more Russian-made titanium.

Boeing is hoping the agreement will ultimately lead to Russian orders for the 7E7.

[RayChuang88]

But alas, those Super Guppy planes don't fly anymore due to the fact the airframe life of these planes have come to an end. That's why Airbus built the A300B4-600ST Super Transporter, which actually carries more than the Super Guppy.

[BurbankKarl]

and that Wichita Division is now a bidder for Airbus.

[BurbankKarl]

I remember when the Guppy and SuperGuppy were at Van Nuys Airport for years in the 70s.

[COEXERJ145]

The irony of the Guppies is that they were converted Boeing Stratocruisers or C-97's. Until the advent of the A300-600ST, every Airbus began its life in the belly of a Boeing.

[Paleo Conservative]

But alas, those Super Guppy planes don't fly anymore due to the fact the airframe life of these planes have come to an end. That's why Airbus built the A300B4-600ST Super Transporter, which actually carries more than the Super Guppy.

http://www.airbustransport.com/visuals.html

[Moose4]

The A300B4-600ST is innovative, it's a wonderful piece of technology, it's quite effective, and it is, without a doubt, one of the most hellishly godawful ugly airplanes ever to take to the air.

}:-)4

[Wiz]

I imagine this Large Cargo Freighter is likely to be good in cost performance for using existing systems but what about the air resistance for air blowing toward the bump of the front portion of the cargo area?

[Paleo Conservative]

You'd have to ask Boeing abou that. They're the ones who have designed and tested it in a wind tunnel.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Great stuff. But it makes me wonder Boeing didn't just slap a temporary nose cone and tail cone on the fuselage section being transported and stick it on top of the 747 fuselage. I seem to recall something similar being done before...

Sure, drag may have been higher, but I would think the higher fuel consumption would be more than offset by the cost of building these new transporters.

[spodefly]

BTTT

[EGPWS]

This looks like a really smart move. While Airbus may suck up large parts of the commerical passenger business Boeing can suck up the Airfreight biz. Works for me. 747 Is a superb air frame for an Airfreighter while A-380 isn't as well adapted.

Adapted? He!!, it hasn't been proved as of yet!

[endthematrix]

The Guppy at Johnson Space Center:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/assembly/superguppy/index.html

[Prophet in the wilderness]

For right now, those modified freighters will only be used for the 787 program and production, however ? if Boeing were to see a interest and demand for the modified 747 - 400 , it would be only a guess that Boeing would see a niche market for a modified 747 - 400 freighter to compete with the A 380 freighter.
But, Boeing has plans on hand right now, to stretch the current 747 400 and make some modifications to the wing, engines, as the 747 Advanced ( most likely the 747 - 500 series )

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Well, in the last 8 weeks, we have seen Boeing pick up some significant sales and orders for planes, and could possibly beat Airbus in the most planes sold this year ( 2005 is going to be Boeing's year ).
As for the A 380, heavily subsidized by the EU government, over budget, over weight, big problems in their testing program so far. Looks like the A 380 is going to be late for delivery for the customers, and some of those customers might just back out of those contracts or those who are sitting on the fence waiting and thinking of buying the A 380 might just take a look at the NEW 747 Advanced.
You right about the 747, in spite of what some people would say about the 747 being a " OLD AND TIRED DESIGN " the 747 is a PROVEN , SAFE, and RELIABLE airframe design with 35 flying years to back it up.
If Boeing can improve on that 747 design, and make it even more economically more efficient that the A 380, then, I am sure Boeing can sell a few of those 747 Advanced versions.

[decimon]

I hope that yellow thingy is to provide support for the tail section when swung. Doesn't look like a Big Friendly Hinge would do.