Posted on 06/26/2007 2:02:04 PM PDT by Freeport
Boeing expects to bring its long-awaited 737 replacement to the market by 2015, but is refusing to be pressured into an early launch decision by environmentally conscious airlines or any competitive move by rival Airbus.
"I'm thinking we are probably seven to eight years away from when we replace [the 737]," says Boeing Commercial Airplanes president Scott Carson.
"We continue to look at the state of technology and what requirements there are in the airline industry. We suspect that the technology required to meet those designs is still a little way in front of us," he adds.
Alongside advanced airframe materials and systems, engine technology will be key to enabling Boeing to deliver the minimum 15% reduction in direct operating costs (DOC) compared with the 737, which Carson says is required to justify launching an all-new aircraft.
The "big three" engine manufacturers - General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce - are pursuing very different engine architectures to deliver the required efficiencies. P&W favours a geared-fan concept, for example, while R-R is considering offering a Trent-style, three-shaft design.
(Excerpt) Read more at flightglobal.com ...
As usual, Airbus, the gutless, follow-the-leader, is back in full glory since they're getting burned on the A380....
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