Boeing 777-9X CGI wing view. Boeing image.
Boeing 777-9X CGI wing view. Boeing image.

Boeing selects Toray Industries for $8.6B 777X composites wing supply

November 18, 2014 2 Comments 463 Views

US Airframer Boeing has extended its agreement with Toray Industries of Japan, the current supplier of composite materials wings for the 787 Dreamliner to include wings for the 777X. The 777X is a modification of the extremely popular 777 twin-jet ‘mini-jumbo’and is expected to enter service in 2020. The wingspan of the 777X measures 71.7 meters (235.4 feet), about 6.95 meters (22.8 feet) longer than the current 777-300ER.

The memorandum of understanding signed recently expected to be finalised soon, will take effect from 2015. As per Reuters the contract for the composite wings for both the 787 and 777X is expected to be worth $8.6 billion.

Toray Industries is investing ¥100 billion (approx $860 million) on a new carbon fibre plant in the US state of South Carolina and will collaborate with Boeing to improve commercial acceptance of composite materials in the aerospace industry by increasing consistency and performance of materials along with a cost structure making composites more competitive with metals.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

Check Also

Watch the first flight of the Boeing 777X

The long-awaited first flight of the Boeing 777-9X is set to take place today. The …

2 comments

  1. Pranav Jetley
    November 22, 2014 at 23:53

    We are seeing a trend in the aviation industry, towards more economic aircraft. Perhaps the 787 is a pioneer in this direction. Upcoming are the A320 neo, 777X, and 737 MAX, all of which feature new engines/composites to improve fuel burn.

+OK
+OK