First To Include Structures, Systems Components
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. delivered its fifth composite
aft fuselage section for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner earlier this
month. The fuselage, designated for Airplane #3, is the first
airplane shipset delivered by Vought that includes structures and
the start of systems components, which will reduce the time needed
to integrate the component during final assembly in Everett,
WA.
The company is on track for future deliveries, Vought pointedly
adds. As ANN reported last
November, Vought came under additional scrutiny from
Boeing due to issues with quality, inventory costs and work-related
injuries. Earlier this month, Boeing agreed to acquire Vought's
interest in South Carolina-based Global Aeronautica LLC, which
makes fuselage subassemblies for the 787.
"We have successfully demonstrated our commitment to the quality
and level of completeness of our aft sections to the 787 Dreamliner
program, while at the same time effectively reducing the amount of
traveled work to Boeing," said Joy Romero, vice president of
Vought’s 787 division. "In recent reviews with Boeing, they
have indicated that Vought is taking the right actions in
continuing to improve completeness and adding value to the
program."
Vought has fabricated a total of 35 fuselage barrels - including
the five shipsets that have been delivered to Boeing, seven
shipsets that are in work at the Vought facility and one
developmental unit -- since production activities began in June
2006. This number includes those designated for full-scale static
and fatigue testing, which will not be delivered to customers.
Each aft fuselage shipset delivered
to Boeing consists of two, one-piece composite barrels (sections 47
and 48). These are fabricated at Vought’s new
342,000-square-foot facility using advanced fiber placement
technology. The barrels are then joined together, with electrical,
hydraulic and mechanical systems components installed prior to
shipping to Boeing for final assembly in Everett.
Aft fuselage Section 47 measures 19 feet in diameter and 23 feet
long. It is the last passenger section and cargo hold section of
the 787, which includes the pressure bulkhead. Section 48 is 14
feet in diameter and 16 feet long. The horizontal stabilizer and
vertical fin are integrated into Section 48 at Boeing final
assembly.
Vought has extensive experience building composite structure,
primarily on military aircraft -- including the Global Hawk UAV
wing, C-17 horizontal stabilizer and nacelle, V-22 fuselage and B-2
intermediate wing assemblies.
NTSB Final Report: Cessna 177B
See All