777 Re-wing Study Revealed, 787 Flight Looms
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By Guy Norris
LE BOURGET
Boeing has ruled out a first flight of the 787 by the end of the Paris show as expected, but remains confident it will take place as planned by the end of the month.
Boeing Commercial president Scott Carson says “if you were expecting to see the 787 flying during the show you’ll be disappointed. But we expect it to fly within the next two weeks.”
Carson also adds that firm configuration for the stretched 787-9 is expected later this year. “We also continue to work on the -3 variant, and we continue to study the 787-10 or an alternative product to address the -10 mission.”
Carson also surprisingly mentioned new details of product development studies for future 777 variants to counter the coming threat from the Airbus A350XWB. One of these concerned a re-winged 777, which Carson says would be studied in parallel with the -10. “They’re not really linked today, but with both a -10 or a re-winged or upgraded 777 the trick is to find the product that addresses the needs the most.”
Carson adds that neither the double stretch 787 or improved 777 “rules out an all-new design. Each competes on its own merits.”
