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.
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