Boeing 777 to 7E7
The 777 represented a breakthrough
in materials applications for commercial
aircraft. The introduction of this
airplane was well-timed to drive a
number of critical advances in materials
technologies to maturity, with
the end result being implementation.
The rate of incorporation for these advances
onto the 777 is remarkable, and
reflects the high degree of alignment
in research work over the five years
preceding the design effort. This research
was clearly focused on fleet
concerns raised by airlines, and the deliberate
development of enhanced performance
materials that were costeffective.
Just as the 777 was a breakthrough
in terms of materials applications, the
7E7 promises to provide an even
greater opportunity for innovation,
both in technical advances and in the
creation of the cooperative process
needed to develop these technologies
with our global partners.
To compete against products that
are based on many of the same material
technologies found on the 777,
the 7E7 engineers must consider further
technology breakthroughs and
expand the application of advanced
technologies beyond the current
norm.
Fortunately, materials development
in the last five years has been
promising. Today, confidence has increased
in composites as a primary
structure, based on 777 successes. Encouraging
progress has been made in
aluminum, steel and titanium technologies.
Finally, understanding the
need for environmentally responsible
processes has also grown. Many technologies
are now maturing in this area
and offer an opportunity to design
and produce an airplane that is not
only cost and performance preferred,
but more environmentally friendly
than airplanes of the past.