Boeing execs on 787 production, 777X and 787-9 progress

Boeing executives discussed progress on the 787 and 777X programs during Wednesday’s second quarter earnings report.

Here are a few highlights:

777X launch: The business case for the 777X “is maturing as planned,” Jim McNerney, Boeing chief executive officer, told analysts and journalists on the conference call. Formal launch of the updated 777X is targeted for later this year with the jet’s entry into service still planned for the end of the decade.

777X wing: Boeing will make a decision on where the 777X’s composite wing will be built within two to six months of the jet’s launch, McNerney said. State and local leaders in Washington state have been paving the way to have the wing built here in Everett. They’ll likely know whether their efforts are successful later this year or early next.

787 production: Boeing will produce a total of 10 787s monthly between North Charleston and Everett by the end of 2013, McNerney said. This year Boeing remains on track to deliver more than 60 787s, said Greg Smith, Boeing’s chief financial officer. Deliveries include 12 from South Carolina, 15 from change incorporation and the remainder from the Everett site. Boeing has dozens of 787s in Everett that were built early on but need modifications to meet certification standard.

787-9: The company now plans to deliver the first 787-9 in the middle of next year, rather than early 2014 as previously planned. Boeing began assembly of the first 787-9 in Everett earlier this year. The new, larger version of the Dreamliner is getting ready for flight testing.