Twin Engine Cargo King - Boeing 777F

On January 29, 2008 the first new widebody of the year will enter major assembly.

Needing little introduction, as of writing, the 777F has 80 orders from 11 customers.

Launched back in May 2005, based on its sistership, the 777-200LR, the 777F will bring more range and cargo capability unlike any other twin engine freighter.

Air France is poised to take delivery of the world’s largest, longest ranged, twin engined freighter in the fourth quarter of this year.

With the success of the 777 family already in service, the 777F brings in the expertise of three major partners on the program.

Image courtesy of Boeing

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) are also heavily involved on the 787 Dreamliner program and also contribute to the entire 777 family too. The first aft fuselage panel on the airplane will be shipped on January 30, 2008.

Between the three Japanese companies, they account for more than 20% of the 777’s fuselage structure. Boeing and its partners recently attended a customer focus group meeting in Japan to discuss various aspects of the sixth member of the 777 family.

Image courtesy of Boeing

Discussions ranging from production planning, flight tests, certification to ensuring that the infrastructure for training, spares and maintenance is in place to facilitate a smooth and seamless integration upon entry into service for all customers.

With a “tried and tested” airframe, the 777F builds on Boeing’s wealth of knowledge and experience gained from the longer ranged variants, the 777-200LR and much sought after 777-300ER.

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These two models, along with the 777F are powered exclusively by the General Electric GE90-115B engine (thrust ratings vary on models).

The engine has already proven to be a big success for both General Electric and Boeing. Having already established a 2% fuel burn improvement, the longer range 777 family gained a further 1.4% fuel burn improvement via modifications to the engines themselves, as well as changes to the vortex generators on the airplane’s wings.

Evolution on the 777 has not just been external.

Underneath the skin, the 777 family has derived benefit from a lower fuselage weight thanks to weight saving materials throughout the structure, such as the main floor panels.

Passing these benefits onto the sixth member of the 777 family, the 777F is already being earmarked by Boeing engineers as being ahead of target on predictions of the airplane. Range is likely to be increased due to the fuel efficiency already gained via the engines and other enhancements while an estimated lower than planned empty weight will allow the airplane to haul more freight farther than any other twin engine airplane.

All that remains between assembly and delivery is the test and certification phase - based on the experience attained from the previous five family members, the 777F is on target to debut as planned.

6 comments January 25th, 2008