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Boeing 737 MAX

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For other 737 variants, see Boeing 737, Boeing 737 Classic, and Boeing 737 Next Generation.
Boeing 737 MAX
Boeing 737 MAX during a flight display
Role Narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boeing Commercial Airplanes
First flight January 29, 2016[1]
Introduction 2017 (scheduled, with Southwest Airlines)
Status Under development
Produced 2014-present[2]
Number built 4 prototypes[3][4]
Developed from Boeing 737 Next Generation

The Boeing 737 MAX is an American narrow body jetliner series being developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes as the successor to the Boeing 737 Next Generation series. The 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the 737 family, with the primary change being the use of the larger and more efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines and modifications to the airframe. As of July 31, 2016, Boeing has 3,278 firm orders for the aircraft.[5] The 737 MAX first flew on January 29, 2016, nearly 49 years after the maiden flight of the 737 on April 9, 1967; the MAX is scheduled for first delivery in 2017 with launch customer Southwest Airlines.[6]

Development

Background and program launch

Since 2006, Boeing has discussed replacing the 737 with a "clean-sheet" design that could follow the Boeing 787 Dreamliner,[7] but a decision on this replacement was postponed into 2011.[8] In November 2014, it was reported that Boeing intends to replace the 737 by 2030 with a new airplane, possibly with a composite airframe, internally named Boeing Y1.[9]

In 2010, Boeing's competitor, Airbus, launched the Airbus A320neo, which boasted new engines which improve fuel burn and operating efficiency. The decision was met with positive reaction by many airlines and they began making major orders for the aircraft.[10][11][12] Pressure from airlines for more fuel efficient aircraft forced Boeing to shelve plans for developing a replacement aircraft, the Boeing Y1, and instead focus on upgrading the 737.[13] On August 30, 2011, the company's board of directors approved the 737 MAX project. Boeing predicts that the 737 MAX will provide a 16% lower fuel burn than the current Airbus A320, and 4% lower than the Airbus A320neo.[14] Boeing expects the 737 MAX to meet or exceed the range of the Airbus A320neo.[15] The first 737 MAX aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2017.[14]

There are three main variants of the new family, the 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9 which are based on the 737-700, -800 and -900ER, respectively,[16] the best-selling versions of the 737 Next Generation family.[5] Boeing has stated that the fuselage lengths and door configurations from the Boeing 737 Next Generation family will be retained on the first three 737 MAX variants. On July 23, 2013, Boeing completed the firm configuration for the 737 MAX 8.[17] In December 2013, Boeing stated that a recent internal audit forecasts a 14% lower fuel burn than current 737NG series aircraft.[18] In September 2014, Boeing launched a high density version of the 737 MAX 8, named the 737 MAX 200. The MAX 200 is named for its seating for up to 200 passengers in a single-class high-density configuration with slimline seats. An extra exit door is required because of the higher passenger capacity. Three of eight galley trolleys[19] are removed to accommodate more passenger space.[20] Boeing states that this version will be 20% more cost efficient per seat than current 737 models, and will be the most efficient narrow body on the market when delivered, including 5% lower operating costs than the 737 MAX 8.[21]

Into production

Boeing has increased 737 production to 42 per month in 2014, and plans to increase rates to 47 per month in 2017 and 52 per month in 2018.[22][23] Spirit Aerosystems manufactures the 737 MAX's thrust reversers. A shortage of a critical component for the thrust reverser has developed; supplier GKN PLC has had difficulty producing the titanium honeycomb inner wall. While early test components met Boeing's specifications, GKN is unable to ramp up production, threatening Boeing's goal of producing up to 52 MAX versions per month by 2020.[24]

Boeing 737 MAX roll-out in December 2015, featuring the first 737 MAX 8

The first 737 MAX fuselage completed assembly at Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas, on August 13, 2015. It will be a test aircraft and eventually be delivered to launch customer Southwest Airlines.[25] On December 8, 2015, the first 737 MAX was rolled out at Boeing's Renton, Washington, factory; this 737 MAX 8 is named "Spirit of Renton".[26][27] The first flight took place on January 29, 2016.[28]

At the Farnborough Air Show in July 2016, Boeing announced the redesign of the MAX 7 derived from the MAX 8 and referred to as "Improved 737 MAX 7" by Boeing. It is to accommodate two more seat rows than the 737-700 for 138 seats, up 12 seats.[29][30][31][32]

On the other side of the family, the MAX 9 has been outsold five-to-one by the Airbus A321neo; Boeing is studying the feasibility of a further stretch with the proposed MAX 10, but this would need a larger engine, stronger wing, and telescoping landing gear.[33] A simpler, lower-risk derivative would be a modest stretch of 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) to 143–144 feet (44–44 m), seating 12-18 more passengers for 192-198 in dual class or 226-232 in single class ; it would need an uprated 31,000 pounds-force (140 kN) CFM LEAP-1B that could be available by 2019 or 2020 and would likely require a simple landing gear modification to move the rotation point slightly aft.[34]

While the market has responded generally well to the 737 MAX, Boeing's hesitation in replacing the larger Boeing 757 has cost the company sales. Airbus has aimed the Airbus A321neo at customers looking for more range than the 737 MAX, intended to serve routes where a widebody aircraft could not turn a profit. Boeing does not have a simple way to respond, because installing more powerful engines on the MAX 9 would require substantial redesign to increase ground clearance to accommodate the engines' larger fan diameter.[35] Boeing's responses about replacing the 757 has suggested that the market is very small, but some airline operators have indicated their disagreement, and some have placed orders for the A321.[36][37] Some analysts have also pointed to a substantial market opportunity to replace both the 757 and the Boeing 767 on routes without passengers to adequately fill the Boeing 787, as well as serve airports with short runways, or at high altitudes, something the 757 does well.[38]

Customers

See also: List of Boeing 737 MAX orders, History of orders

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.[39][40] On December 13, 2011, Southwest Airlines ordered 150 737 MAX aircraft with 150 options. Southwest will be the launch customer when deliveries begin in 2017.[41]

By December 2011, Boeing had 948 commitments and firm orders from 13 customers for the 737 MAX.[42][43] On September 8, 2014, Ryanair signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase up to 200 new Boeing 737 MAX 200 "gamechanger" aircraft - comprising 100 firm orders and 100 options.[44]

In October 2016, Qatar Airways signed a letter of intent for up to 60 737 MAX 8s.[45][46]

Design

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 split scimitar winglets.[47]

Improving fuel efficiency

Boeing's new "split tip" winglet on the 737 MAX

The 737 MAX is to introduce Boeing's Advanced Technology Winglet featuring a split tip. Boeing designed the device to maximize lift specifically on airplanes with wingspans that fit airport gates dimensioned to ICAO Annex 14 code letter C. The device is a direct descendant of the winglet designed for the McDonnell Douglas MD-12. 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. Aviation Partners Boeing is offering a similar "Split-Tip Scimitar" winglet for previous 737NG models.[48][49] The fuel savings could be even higher if a laminar flow surface treatment being applied meets expectations. Boeing stated in 2013 that the 737-8 MAX with the new winglet can have a 1.8% better fuel burn than a blended winglet-equipped aircraft on flights of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km) with 162 passengers. The advantage increases with flight length, but a short flight of 500 nmi (930 km) has a 1% lower fuel burn with the aircraft flying at Mach 0.79.[50]

Flight deck and flight controls

Boeing plans no major modifications for the 737 Max flight deck, as it wants to maintain commonality with the 737 Next Generation family. The 737 Max will, however, feature four new large-format display screens supplied by Rockwell Collins. These are 15.1-inch (380 mm) landscape LCD displays, in use on the 787 Dreamliner, that will increase pilots' situational awareness and efficiency. Boeing also plans to add more fly-by-wire control systems to the 737 MAX family, although Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh said that changes would be "very minimal." Boeing has confirmed that fly-by-wire controls will be added to the spoilers.[51][52]

Engines

Main article: CFM International LEAP

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. 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.[53]

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 underway to revise the tail cone, natural laminar flow nacelle and a hybrid laminar flow vertical stabilizer for additional fuel burn decrease and drag reduction.[54]

In November 2011, Boeing selected 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.[55][56] Firm configuration for the 737 MAX is currently scheduled for 2013.[57] On May 17, 2012, Boeing further modified the fan diameter with an increase to 69.4 inches (176 cm). The larger fan will be paired with a smaller engine core than previously identified as part of a series of minor design changes before the final configuration is set in mid-2013.[58]

There will also be a new digital regulator for the engine bleed air systems to improve its reliability.[59]

Variants

  • 737 MAX 7 – Replacement for the 737-700 and 737-700ER. The Improved MAX 7 is stretched to add two more seat rows than the 737-700 for 138 seats, up 12 seats.[30] The redesign uses the 737-8 wing and landing gear; a pair of overwing exits rather than the single-door configuration; a 46-inch-longer aft fuselage and a 30-inch-longer forward fuselage; structural re-gauging and strengthening; and systems and interior modifications to accommodate the longer length.[60]
  • 737 MAX 8 – Replacement for the 737-800; longer fuselage than the -700/MAX 7; first variant developed in the 737 MAX series.
    • 737 MAX 200 – A version of the 737 MAX 8 incorporating a mid-exit door increasing the exit limit and allowing higher density seating up to 200 seats.[61][62]
  • 737 MAX 9 – Replacement for the 737-900/-900ER; longer fuselage than the -800/MAX 8

Orders and deliveries

Main article: List of Boeing 737 MAX orders

The 737 MAX has firm orders totaling 3,278 as of July 31, 2016.[5]

Specifications

Boeing 737 MAX characteristics
737 MAX 7 737 MAX 8 / MAX 200 737 MAX 9
Seating [63] 138 in 2 class to 172 162 (12F + 150Y)[64] to 200 max 180 (12F + 168Y)[64] to 220 max
Seat pitch 29 in (74 cm) in high density, 31–32 in (79–81 cm) in economy, 36 in (91 cm) in first
Cargo capacity 1,543 cu ft (43.7 m3) 1,814 cu ft (51.4 m3)
Length[63] 116 ft 9 in (35.6 m)[60] 129 ft 8 in (39.5 m) 138 ft 4 in (42.2 m)
Wingspan 117 ft 10 in (35.9 m)
Overall height[63] 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m)
Cruising speed Mach 0.79[65] (453 kn or 521 mph or 839 km/h)
Maximum takeoff weight[63] 177,000 lb (80,286 kg)[60] 181,200 lb (82,191 kg) 194,700 lb (88,314 kg)
Maximum landing weight 145,600 lb (66,043 kg)[60] 152,800 lb (69,309 kg) 163,900 lb (74,344 kg)
Maximum zero fuel weight 138,700 lb (62,913 kg)[60] 145,400 lb (65,952 kg) 156,500 lb (70,987 kg)
Fuel capacity 6,853 US gal (25,941 L)
Range (2-class)[63] 3,825 nmi (4,402 mi; 7,084 km) 3,515 nmi (4,045 mi; 6,510 km)
MAX 200: 2,700 nmi (3,107 mi; 5,000 km)[66] 		3,515 nmi (4,045 mi; 6,510 km)
Engine (× 2) CFM International LEAP-1B
Fan diameter 69 inches (175 cm)[67]
Thrust (× 2) up to 28,000 lbf (125 kN)[67]

Source: 737 MAX Airport Compatibility Brochure,[64] except specific reference.

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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External links

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