Mitsubishi Does The Doors, Xi'an Does The Floors

Boeing Tuesday said Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will supply the main-deck cargo door and surround structure for the 747-400 Special Freighter, a program to convert passenger airplanes into freighters.

The door and surround structure are integral to changing 747-400 passenger airplanes to freighters.

Mitsubishi is one of two supplier partners announced for the 747-400 Special Freighter program, which launched in January and thus far has announced 15 firm orders and 15 options from a total of three customers.

"This additional program work on the 747-400 Special Freighter cargo door and surround continues the important expansion of Mitsubishi’s role in the production of quality Boeing parts on schedule and at a competitive price," Morris said. "Japan has a significant role working together with Boeing, and this is one more step in increasing and strengthening our partnership."

Junichi Maezawa, managing director and general manager of Mitsubishi’s Aerospace Headquarters, said, “This is one of the outcomes from the cooperative relationship between Boeing and MHI, and it is our pleasure to participate in the freighter conversion business that is increasing year by year. Together with our Chinese partners, TAECO and Xi’an Aircraft Industry Company, we are expecting to contribute greatly to the 747-400 Special Freighter.”

For the conversion to a freighter configuration, a 747-400 passenger airplane receives a side cargo door and layout identical to the 747-400 production freighter. The Special Freighter includes 30 pallet positions on the main deck and comparable volume. The upper deck is capable of seating up to 19 people, an option found on no other converted freighter.

China’s Xi'an Aircraft Industry Company will supply floor beams for the Special Freighter.

The beams will be used to strengthen the main deck of 747-400 passenger airplanes so that they can accept a new cargo handling system and a new role as a freighter.

Xi’an Aircraft is one of two supplier partners announced for the 747-400 Special Freighter program, which launched in January and thus far has announced 15 firm orders and 15 options from a total of three customers.

Xi'an Aircraft is a well-established Boeing supplier partner that currently builds trailing edge ribs for 747 wings and recently celebrated delivery of the 1,000th 737 vertical fin.

"This additional program work on the 747-400 Special Freighter floor beams continues the important expansion of Xi'an Aircraft's role in the production of quality Boeing parts on schedule and at a competitive price," Morris said. "China has a significant role working together with Boeing, and this is one more step in increasing and strengthening our partnership."

"Xi’an Aircraft is honored to have this additional program work from Boeing, which demonstrates our hard work and capabilities in manufacturing technology and excellence in producing high-quality products," said Gao Dacheng, general manager, Xi'an Aircraft Industry Company. "Xi’an Aircraft is committed to continuously maintain our competitive edge to help Boeing build the best airplanes in the world."

China and Boeing’s industrial cooperation began in the mid-1970s. Over the last 15 years, teams of Boeing manufacturing, quality, tooling, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering and planning experts residing in China have provided on-site training for building Boeing parts and assemblies. In addition, Boeing provides executive development training and special technical training. The emphasis is on training to world-class standards to ensure safe, reliable, high-quality airplane assemblies.

For the conversion to a freighter configuration, a 747-400 passenger airplane receives a side cargo door and layout identical to the 747-400 production freighter. The Special Freighter includes 30 pallet positions on the main deck and comparable volume. The upper deck is capable of seating up to 19 people, an option found on no other converted freighter.

The production freighter is distinguished by its nose door, providing greater ease and efficiency in loading, along with increased revenue potential by allowing for unusual and outsized items to be carried.
The 747 Freighter family is the backbone of the world’s dedicated freighter fleet, providing nearly half of the world’s freighter capacity.

FMI: www.boeing.com