Japanese consortium and Boeing sign up for B777X components

by CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, TOM BALLANTYNE  

July 1st 2014

Print Friendly

A consortium of Japanese aerospace companies, Japan Aircraft Industries, and Boeing, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Japanese manufacturers to produce 21% of B777X components. Read More »

The consortium members are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries, ShinMaywa Industries and NIPPI Corporation. Japanese aerospace companies were partners with Boeing in manufacturing the B737NG, the B737MAX, the B747, B767, B777 and B787.

“This agreement with our Japanese partners extends our important and strategic relationship for decades to come,” said Boeing Japan president, George Maffeo. “As the B777X is larger than the current B777, the value of the structural components procured from Japan will be proportionately higher, generating more value for our partners as well as Boeing.’’

“The companies that make up the JAI have worked with us to meet affordability goals for the B777X, said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, Ray Conner.

JAL companies will manufacture fuselage and centre wing sections, pressure bulkheads, main landing gear wells, wing components, wing-body fairings, and passenger, cargo and main landing gear doors for B777X, which is scheduled to enter service in 2020.

Boeing announced the B777X program in November last year at the Dubai Air Show. Production will start on the next generation widebody in 2017 with final assembly at Boeing’s Seattle complex. The Everett facility will have a new composite wing centre for the B777X program.