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Image ID: k63024-09.tif
Title: Renton Assembly Facility
Era: 2000s Description:
Throughout the years, the Airplane Programs manufacturing site in Renton, Wash., has been home to many of commercial aviation's most renowned airplanes, including the 707, 727, 737 and 757. Today, employees at the 278-acre site, which encompasses 4.1 million square feet (380,902 square meters) of building space, produce the Boeing Next-Generation 737 airplane models.
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Title: Turning Rig on 777 Moving Line
Era: 2000s Description:
In 2006 Boeing started using a moving assembly line to build its market-leading 777 jetliner. The moving line is a leaner and more efficient manufacturing system. For now, the moving assembly line is used only during final assembly for the 777, moving it at a steady pace of 1.6 inches per minute during production. To make its 777 assembly line move, a tug is attached around the front landing gear of the airplane and pulls it forward. The tug has an optical sensor that follows a white line along the floor. During final assembly, items such as seats, overhead stow bins on the interior of the airplane are installed. In addition, functional testing is performed on various systems and the engines are attached. Boeing intends to complete a continuous, one-bay moving assembly line for the 777, which will include systems installation, final body join and final assembly for the airplane, sometime in 2008. This will be the most extensive moving production line used to build a commercial airplane.
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Title: 747X Interior
Era: 2000s Description:
The modern, curved interior lines of the Boeing 747X upper deck are clearly shown in this computer rendering. Configured here for business-class service, the upper deck of the 747X models would have significantly more stowage volume due to the 777-style overhead bins. Passengers in this section would have 100 percent more space for carry-on items, including roll-aboard bags, laptop computers and other luggage. Boeing is studying a 747X family of airplanes for the large-airplane market.
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Title: Sonic Cruiser in Flight
Era: 2000s Description:
Boeing Commercial Airplanes' Sonic Cruiser, tops the company's product-development agenda. Unveiled on March 29, 2001, the new concept features canards, a unique "gloved" delta wing, rear-mounted engines and two horizontal fins at the back of the airplane instead of the standard horizontal and vertical tail section found on today's jetliners. Recent analysis indicates the initial version of the new airplane will accommodate 200 to 250 passengers, fly between 6,000 and 9,000 nautical miles, and travel at a speed between Mach 0.95 and Mach 0.98 -- 15 to 20 percent faster than what currently is possible. It also will have a cruising altitude in the mid-40,000-foot level.
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