Boeing, the world’s leading aerospace company, has announced that it will produce 777X parts at its site in St. Louis, bringing back into the company the work which was being done overseas for the current 777 program.
According to the press release by Boeing, the design for these parts will be done in St. Louis and Boeing Aerostructures Australia (BAA), which will continue to produce rudder and elevator parts for existing Boeing 777s until 2022.
The St. Louis-built parts will be sent to the 777X composite wing centre in Everett, Washington, where the wings, and the plane, will be built. The new composite wing centre is currently under construction and will be more than 1 million square feet large.
“Boeing has outstanding capability, resources and experience across the company and the 777X program will leverage that skill base,” said Bob Feldmann, Vice President and General Manager, 777X program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“A program of this size requires that we bring together all of the talent that Boeing has to offer.”
To accommodate this production work, Boeing will expand its current St. Louis composites facility, which will begin producing parts for the 777X program in 2017.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Boeing St. Louis and we look forward to being a partner on the 777X program,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing Military Aircraft Cross-Enterprise Design/Build Vice President.
“Placing this work in St. Louis optimizes resources, skills and technology in St. Louis and creates high technology jobs in the region.”
The 777X builds on today’s passenger-preferred and market-leading 777 and offers more market coverage and revenue capability than the competition. First delivery is targeted for 2020.
