GE to power potential new 777 derivatives

Keywords Boeing, Aircraft, Aero engines

The Boeing Company reports that it has reached an agreement with General Electric for the development of a 115,000lb-thrust engine to power longer-range 777 airplanes.

Boeing projects the market for the 777-200X and 777-300X to be about 600 airplanes. The size of this market would not support development of more than one engine.

John Roundhill, vice-president of Commercial Airplanes' Product Strategy and Development, said:

Program go-ahead for the 777-200X and 777-300X will depend on customer timing requirements ... For planning purposes, we are currently assuming entry into service in 2003.

The 777-200X would, it is claimed, be the longest-range commercial airplane ever designed. It would fly 10,100 statute miles, approximately 200 miles farther than today's 777-200E, opening long-range, transpacific non-stop service. The same size as the 777-200, it would carry approximately 300 passengers in a three-class configuration.

The 777-300X would fly 8,300 statute miles, about 1,800 miles more than the 777-300 that entered service in 1998. The same size as the 777-300, the new derivative would carry about 360 passengers in a three-class configuration.