The first Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner is coming together one piece at a time.
On Tuesday, Boeing and supplier Vought Aircraft Industries rolled out two major pieces of the Dreamliner’s fuselage at Vought’s site in South Carolina. Barrels 47 and 48, which comprise 23 percent of the 787’s fuselage, will be taken to another partner’s site nearby for additional work before being shipped to Everett.
Boeing officials say Vought’s progress represents a significant step in keeping the 787 on track for its first flight later this summer and first delivery in 2008.
As part of Boeing’s global supply chain, Vought produces two fuselage sections of the Dreamliner. Section 47 is 23 feet long and 19 feet in diameter while section 48 measures 15 feet long and 14 feet in diameter.
To make the mostly composite material barrels for Boeing, Vought layers tape – consisting of strengthened carbon fibers soaked in epoxy – over a barrel-shaped mold. The company cures the sections in a high-temperature, 517,000-gallon autoclave where the material hardens and strengthens.
Vought tests the soundness of the barrels using ultrasonic sound wave. The pieces will be moved about 200 yards away to Global Aeronautica – a joint venture between Vought and Italian supplier Alenia Aeronautica – for final work.
Boeing will fly the completed sections to Everett on its Dreamlifter, a modified 747 cargo jet. The company expects all major 787 components to arrive in Everett within the next few weeks.
As of the end of April, Boeing had won 567 orders for its 787 jet, which will go through final assembly in Everett.
To watch the progress of Boeing’s 787 suppliers, check out the Herald’s interactive graphic at heraldnet.com/boeing.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
