Boeing 737 facility

Boeing has announced it has started construction of the first twin-engine narrow-body Next-Generation 737 airliner at its assembly facility in Renton, US, at an increased rate of 38 aeroplanes a month, despite its larger 787 recently facing potential delays over technical issues.

The Next-Generation 737 aircraft is being built under the increased production rate and is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of this year.

"We have more hard work ahead of us, but we are well on our way to another successful production rate increase."

Boeing stated that technicians have completed loading initial parts of the spars, the main structural member of the wing, into its automated spar-assembly machines. This marks the start of major manufacturing phase for an aircraft.

Boeing 737 programme vice president and general manager Beverly Wyse said that the first spar load was all on schedule.

"We have more hard work ahead of us, but we are well on our way to another successful production rate increase," Wyse added.

Boeing has increased production of the 737 by more than 20% over the past two years, from 31.5 to 38 airliners a month.

The aircraft manufacturer had kept a monthly production target of 42 aircraft, starting in 2014, as part of its efforts to meet the growing demand for the single-aisle jetliners.

The 737NG includes the 600, 700, 800 and 900 variants.

Production rate of the 787 Dreamliner line is being at a rate of five a month and is expected to increase to ten by the end of this year.

However, Boeing has suspended planned deliveries of 787s until all battery issues have been resolved.

Image: Boeing stated that technicians have loaded initial parts of the spars for the first 737NG at the new rate into a spar-assembly machine. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

Defence Technology