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configuration. As we look at what and below the floor. That actually is one example of a specific area of
is required from a passenger count becomes what sizes the wing – the exploration.
and range perspective, and as we depth for passengers and crew, the
think about the potential for a family chord length that is then driven by We’re working across the board on
of airplanes (as we always do), the depth to create an airfoil that many technologies that at some
cabin width will be one of the things works, and the span that results to point, will converge and that inter-
we will consider. It’s much too get aerodynamic benefit from the section will allow the creation of an
early at this stage to start narrowing aspect ratio. At the end of all that, airplane with unique capabilities
down our choices as we explore you have a really big airplane, with and a step function improvement in
market needs and our options for a really big wing, that wants to fly sustainability. These technologies
serving those needs. high and far. And frankly, that’s aren’t ready today. But we’re work-
not the market of interest for our ing to get them there and so are our
Q Is there a suitable engine can- demonstrator study, which is more suppliers, to make sure that when
didate for the production version? in the traditional single-aisle space. the time is right, we’ll have all the
CFM GTF candidates? right improvements we need. It’s a
It is also really difficult from a design great time to be in product develop-
Learning about propulsion system and manufacturing standpoint to ment, and an exciting time to be an
integration with this unique configu- create bigger and smaller versions engineer with the opportunity to be
ration is one of the multiple aspects of the base airplane, because you a part of the early days of matur-
of this demonstrator programme. can’t simply stretch or shrink the ing the technologies that will once
We’ll learn a lot about the integra- fuselage. Much of the value we again allow our industry to take a
tion of engines, nacelles, struts create for our customers is in a generational step forward.
and their interaction with wings and family of airplanes that provides
fuselages. It’s too soon to make a payload and range flexibility. That’s (As a side note - greener isn’t
call about suitability of any engine difficult to do with a BWB config- a term we really use at Boeing
technology solution – we’re keep- urations. Returning to the thought because it doesn’t provide enough
ing an open mind and will let the of the right tool for the job – there context for the improvements being
learnings of this demonstrator and are jobs where a BWB could be the made. We have to approach this
other work with multiple engine right tool – I think of certain cargo, challenge with an engineering
companies be our guide. But I do transport or refuelling missions mindset. Marketing teams and
think it’s fair to say that improve- where it could be the right tool for advertising teams can use terms
like greener but I’m an engineer at
ments to engine technology over the job. I’m just not convinced that heart – I want facts and data.)
what we have today will be one it solves the problems of airlines
of the necessary contributors to who look to families of airplanes to Q Other Boeing programmes with
the improvement of up to 30% provide the flexibility their missions potential growth are the 787 and
that we are targeting for this set of demand. 777-8/9 family. Can you give us
technologies. some context around opportuni-
Q What other greener opportuni-
Q Another area of experi- ties are there in future designs? ties into the next decade?
mentation has been the BWB Just as we’ve done with all of our
– is anything happening in that I mentioned earlier that the X-66 airplane families since the dawn of
space? programme will advance our col- the jet age, we’ll continue to intro-
lective knowledge in a number of duce incremental improvements
The Blended-Wing-Body config- areas. Many of those things, such across our product lines. This year
uration is always a fan favourite, as advanced materials, new control is going to be particularly inter-
because it has such a unique laws and novel structural archi- esting on the 777-9 as we move
appearance – it looks like the tectures, are also being explored through the flight test programme.
future. And as a configuration, it is through other means to fully round Everything we are seeing is telling
one of the tools in our toolbox. But out our knowledge. In addition, us this airplane is going to continue
you always have to pick the right we continue to study things like the proud legacy of the 777 for
tool for the job. In a BWB configu- the role of electric power in avia- decades and decades to come. Our
ration, the passengers are basically tion, hybrid-electric architectures, twin-aisle airplanes are preferred
sitting inside the wing, and the flight alternate fuel sources or energy by travellers around the world. It’s a
attendants have to be able to stand carriers, unducted engines and better flying experience and it keeps
and work in that wing. With struc- advanced automation or autonomy. getting better. And they make really
ture and systems above the ceiling Clearly our relationship with Wisk great freighters!.

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