Jump to content

Boeing 737 MAX

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 68.100.216.166 (talk) at 12:31, 12 July 2012 (→Specifications). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Boeing 737 MAX
File:Boeing 737 MAX computer-generated image.jpg
Artist's conception of the Boeing 737 MAX
Role Narrow-body jet airliner
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Introduction 2017 (scheduled)
Status Under development
Developed from Boeing 737 Next Generation

The Boeing 737 MAX is a new family of aircraft being developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes from the Boeing 737 Next Generation family it is to replace. The primary change will be the use of the larger and more efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines. The airframe is to receive some modifications as well. The 737 MAX is scheduled for first delivery in 2017, 50 years after the 737 first flew.

Development

Since 2006, Boeing has discussed replacing the 737 with a "clean sheet" design (internally named "Boeing Y1") that could follow the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.[1] A decision on this replacement was postponed, and delayed into 2011.[2]

In 2010, Airbus launched the Airbus A320neo, a single-aisle jet aircraft which incorporated a new engine to improve fuel burn and operating efficiency. The decision was met with positive reaction by many airlines, which began making major orders for the improved aircraft, notably from AirAsia and IndiGo.[3][4][5] This put pressure on Boeing and on August 30, 2011, Boeing's board of directors approved the Boeing 737 MAX project. Boeing claims the 737 MAX will provide a 16% lower fuel burn than the current Airbus A320, and 4% lower than the Airbus A320neo.[6] Boeing expects the 737 MAX to meet or exceed the range of the Airbus A320neo.[7] The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2017.[6]

The three variants of the new family are the 737 MAX 7, the 737 MAX 8 and the 737 MAX 9, which are based on the 737-700, −800 and −900ER, respectively[8] which are the best selling versions of the 737 Next Generation family.[9] Boeing has stated that the fuselage lengths and door configurations from the Boeing 737 Next Generation family will be retained on the 737 MAX variants.

Initially, the customers for the 737 MAX were not disclosed, except for American Airlines. On November 17, 2011, Boeing released the names of two other customers - Lion Air and Aviation Capital Group. At that time, Boeing reported 700 commitments from 9 customers for the 737 MAX.[10][11] On December 13, 2011, Southwest Airlines announced they would be the launch customer for the 737 MAX with a firm order of 150 aircraft and 150 options.[12] In December 2011, Boeing has 948 commitments and firm orders from 13 customers for the 737 MAX.[13][14]

Norwegian Air Shuttle has announced in January 2012 an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX airliners, along with 22 Boeing 737-800 and 100 Airbus A320neo aircraft. This is the first European order for the 737 MAX and the entire order is valued at $11.4 billion.[15][16] In July 2012, Virgin Australia announced an agreement to order 23 Max aircraft.[17][18]

Design

Boeing spent most of 2011 evaluating two fan diameters of the CFM International Leap-1B engine: 66.1 in (168 cm) or 68.1 in (173 cm), both of which would require few changes to the landing gear to maintain a 16.9 in (42.9 cm) ground clearance beneath the engines. Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO, Jim Albaugh, stated the larger fan diameter would produce less fuel burn, but because it is bigger, it produces more drag and is heavier, and would need more extensive airframe changes.[19]

Both fan diameters are an increase from the 61.8 in (157 cm) CFM56-7B engine on the Boeing 737 Next Generation. The updated airliner is also expected to feature external nacelle chevrons for noise reduction, similar to those on the 787 and 747-8. While the smaller Leap-1B engine would have a lower bypass ratio and higher specific fuel consumption (SFC) than the baseline 78 in (198 cm) Leap-X and 80.7 in (205 cm) Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine options for the A320neo, the smaller engine will weigh less and create less drag on the airframe. The 66.1 in (168 cm) engine integrated on the airframe would offer an SFC improvement of 10–12% over the current 737NG CFM56-7B engine. Industry sources report that assessments are under way to revise the tail cone, natural laminar flow nacelle and a hybrid laminar flow vertical stabilizer for additional fuel burn and drag reduction.[20]

File:737 MAX Wingtip Device.jpg
New wingtip device on the 737 MAX

In November 2011, Boeing announced the selection of the 68.1 in (173 cm) fan diameter. Because of the larger fan diameter compared to the 737 Next Generation family, the nose landing gear will have to be lengthened by 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) to maintain the required ground clearance.[21][22] Firm configuration for the 737 MAX is currently scheduled for 2013.[23] On May 17, 2012, Boeing announced a further modification to the fan diameter increasing it to 69.4 inches. The larger fan will be paired with a smaller engine core than previously identified, which is part of a series of design tweaks before the final configuration is set in mid-2013.[24]

As production standard, the 737 MAX will feature the Boeing Sky Interior with overhead bins and LED lighting based on the Boeing 787's interior, as well as winglets.[25]

A new type of wingtip device is to be introduced on the new 737 versions. Resembling a three-way hybrid between a blended winglet, wingtip fence, and raked wingtip, Boeing states that this new design should deliver an additional 1.5% improvement in fuel economy over the 10-12% improvement already expected for the 737 MAX.[26]

The manufacturer plans no modification in the flight deck as it wants to maintain commonality with the 737 Next Generation family. Boeing also plans to add more fly-by-wire systems to the 737 MAX family, although Albaugh said that changes would be "very minimal." Boeing has confirmed that fly-by-wire controls will be added to the spoilers.[23]

Variants

  • 737 MAX 7 – Replacement for the 737-700 and 737-700ER
  • 737 MAX 8 – Replacement for the 737-800
  • 737 MAX 9 – Replacement for the 737-900ER

Specifications

Boeing 737 MAX Design Specifications
737 MAX 7 737 MAX 8 737 MAX 9
Seating capacity 126 (2-class, typical) 162 (2-class, typical) 180 (2-class, typical)
Overall length 110 ft 4 in  (33.6 m) 129 ft 6 in  (39.5 m) 138 ft 2 in  (42.1 m)
Wingspan 110 ft 4 in  (35.9 m)
Overall height 41 ft 2 in  (12.5 m)
Cruising speed Mach 0.79 (522 mph, 842 km/h)
Maximum take-off weight 159,400 lb  (72,303 kg) 181,200 lb  (82,191 kg) 194,700 lb  (88,314 kg)
Range fully loaded 3,800 NM (7,038 km) 3,620 NM (6,704 km) 3,595 NM (6,658 km)
Engine (× 2) CFM Leap-1B
Fan tip diameter 69 in (1.75 m)

Sources: Boeing 737 Specifications.[27]

Orders

As of July 10, 2012, a total of 549 firm orders have been placed for the 737 MAX.

Boeing 737 MAX firm orders
Date of
initial order 		Country Customer Orders
Dec 13, 2011 United States Southwest Airlines 150[14]
Jan 25, 2012 Norway Norwegian Air Shuttle 100[16]
Feb 14, 2012 Indonesia Lion Air 201[28]
Jul 5, 2012 Australia Virgin Australia 23[29]
Jul 9, 2012 United States ALC 75[30]
Totals 549

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ "Boeing firms up 737 replacement studies by appointing team." Flight International, March 3, 2006. Retrieved: April 13, 2008.
  2. ^ Hamilton, Scott. "737 decision may slip to 2011: Credit Suisse." Flightglobal, 2010. Retrieved: June 26, 2010.
  3. ^ "Airbus launches A320neo". Australia Aviation. December 1, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  4. ^ Bryan, Victoria; Jones, Rhys (June 23, 2011). "Airbus wins record $18 billion order from AirAsia". Reuters. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  5. ^ Rothman, Andrea; Wang, Jasmine (June 24, 2011). "AirAsia Tops IndiGo Record Order as Asia Dominates Air Show". Bloomberg. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Boeing Launches 737 New Engine Family with Commitments for 496 Airplanes from Five Airlines". Boeing. August 30, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  7. ^ Ostrower, Jon. "Boeing says 737 Max to meet or exceed A320neo range". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 02-19-2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ Ostrower, Jon (August 30, 2011). "Boeing designates 737 MAX family". Air Transport Intelligence. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  9. ^ "737 Model Orders and Deliveries data." Boeing, September 2011. Retrieved: October 11, 2011.
  10. ^ "Lion Air commits to up to 380 Boeing 737s". November 17, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  11. ^ "ACG Becomes third identified 737 max customer". November 17, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  12. ^ "Southwest Airlines' Proud History of the Boeing 737". December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  13. ^ "737 Max commitments top 948". Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Bader, Tim (December 13, 2011). "Boeing 737 MAX Logs First Firm Order from Launch Customer Southwest Airlines". Boeing. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  15. ^ "Norwegian buys 222 new aircraft". E24 (Norwegian). Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  16. ^ a b Bader, Tim (January 25, 2012). "Boeing and Norwegian Announce order for 100 737 MAX; 22 Next-Generation 737s". Boeing. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  17. ^ Copeman, Emma (July 5, 2012). "Virgin Australia orders 23 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft" (PDF). Virgin Australia. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  18. ^ "Virgin Australia Orders 23 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft". Reuters. Aviation Week. July 5, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  19. ^ Ostrower, Jon (August 31, 2011). "Boeing narrows 737 Max engine fan size options to two". Air Transport Intelligence. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  20. ^ Ostrower, Jon (August 30, 2011). "More details emerge on configuration of re-engined 737". Flight International. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  21. ^ "Boeing reveals 737 Max configuration details". Flight International, November 3, 2011.
  22. ^ "Boeing Cites 600 Commitments For 737 MAX". Reuters. Airwise News. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  23. ^ a b Ostrower, Jon (November 7, 2011). "Boeing completes initial review of 737 MAX configuration". Air Transport Intelligence. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  24. ^ Ostrower, Jon (May 17, 2012). "Boeing Tweaks Engine for New 737 Max". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  25. ^ "Boeing Introduces 737 MAX With Launch of New Aircraft Family". Boeing. August 30, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  26. ^ Matt Molnar (May 2, 2012). "Boeing Says Radical New Winglets on 737 MAX Will Save More Fuel". NYCAviation. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  27. ^ Boeing 737 Technical Information, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
  28. ^ "Boeing, Lion Air Finalize Historic Order".
  29. ^ "Virgin Australia orders 23 737 MAX aircraft, delivery between 2019 and 2021".
  30. ^ "Boeing and Air Lease Corporation Announce Order for 75 737". Boeing.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boeing_737_MAX&oldid=501875168"