Boeing is seriously thinking of dropping the idea of the Sonic Cruiser, mainly due to lack of interest, the only major airline that has shown interest in Continental. Airlines say there is no need of a Sonic Cruiser kind of a/c for the next ten years (i disagree though).
So now, engineers at Boeing are considering two more designs. One is a conventional jetliner that would be more fuel efficient and cheaper to build than the slow selling B767. The second is yet another radical design, a flying wing-shaped like the B2 bomber. So now these are the three things in Boeings mind…..
>>> Sonic Cruiser: An all new jet design promises to transport 250 passengers at nearly supersonic speeds, problem is, business fliers might be reluctent to pay the premium prices that airlines would need to charge for flights on this het. Also the SC requires leaps in engine and aerodynamic technology. Flying just below the sound barrier, the ride tends to be bumpy and unpredictable because of the shockawaves around the a/c as it approaches Mack 1. So far Boeing has not been able to solve these problems.
>>> Conventional Update: A new, nonradical design that would replace the B767. The company says it could make this 250 seater passenger jet upto 30% more afficient than its predecessor. But on thoe other hand they want something that Airbus cannot match.
>>> Wing Jet: The blended wing shaped(below is the pic), shaped like the B-2 bomber, would be much lighter than a conventional airlines, it will be low on cost, but the pruposed design does not have windows for passengers. Also there is a high rist in harsh turbulence as these aircrafts will be made of light material. Boeing says it maybe able to provide virtual windows with cameras.
So those are the options now that Boeing has, Boeing actually wants to compete with the A380 somehow, as ofcourse the A380 will take away the sales from the ageing B747.
What do you all think that Boeing should take out of these three options they have? Experts are tilting more towards the blended wing technology.
As for the fischal year Boeing is already behind Airbus and is really raring to start a new project…your oppinions.
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By: Pembo330 - 23rd July 2002 at 10:07
RE: The choices that Boeing has!
I personally see Boeing gradually losing market share over the coming years unless they come up with something new.
The 7X7 programme that I’ve heard about would also replace the 757 as I understand it, not just the 767.
I think the 7X7 programme is the answer and they also need to think about an A380 competitor. Yes, the 747 will comepete very nicely for the next ten years, but if the A380 really takes off and becomes operationally sound, I suspect the A380 will start to win hands down in 10 years +. Boeing really need to go along these lines IMO as no matter what anyone says about technological advances, the 747 will be an old aircraft by 2012.
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July 23, 2002 at 6:19 am