ORAC
2nd Mar 2004, 17:52
There seem to be crossed wires at Boeing, with no consistent message about what tanker options they will have available.
Boeing's mid-term tanker proposal is a Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) which will provide copious space for fuel and cargo and two wing mounted booms. The BWB would be eminently suitable for the production of a freighter version as a long term successor to the 747F, but the BWB is not suitable a passenger airline version because of the lack of windows and the problems associated with rolling motion with passengers situated well of the aircraft centreline, evacuation and gate access.
The problem seems to be how to fit the 7E7 into the equation. Here is where the message is confused with different stories eminating from within the company. The following are both quotes from the press in the last 2 weeks.
AWST, Feb 23rd - Alernative Future - Boeing look to next generation tanker.
........."BWB is increasingly being looked on as an important element in Boeing's long term, particularly in the tanker arena. Boeing doesn't have any other aircraft to use for that purpose once the 767 line shuts down. To achieve the efficiency goals the company is touting for the 7E7, engineers are making structural trade-offs that mean the aircraft can't be converted into a tanker, according to several Boeing officials"......
Flight International, 2-8 March - Boeing look to 7E7 for next generation tanker.
...."Senior vice-president and general manager of of Boeing air force systems George Muellner says Boeing's defence team has worked with the company's 7E7 defence team from the beginning of the project, and has already provided tanker specifications for a military variant."
Looks like an in-house battle between the various design teams. Be interesting to see who wins out, and if the BWB ever gets built.
Boeing's mid-term tanker proposal is a Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) which will provide copious space for fuel and cargo and two wing mounted booms. The BWB would be eminently suitable for the production of a freighter version as a long term successor to the 747F, but the BWB is not suitable a passenger airline version because of the lack of windows and the problems associated with rolling motion with passengers situated well of the aircraft centreline, evacuation and gate access.
The problem seems to be how to fit the 7E7 into the equation. Here is where the message is confused with different stories eminating from within the company. The following are both quotes from the press in the last 2 weeks.
AWST, Feb 23rd - Alernative Future - Boeing look to next generation tanker.
........."BWB is increasingly being looked on as an important element in Boeing's long term, particularly in the tanker arena. Boeing doesn't have any other aircraft to use for that purpose once the 767 line shuts down. To achieve the efficiency goals the company is touting for the 7E7, engineers are making structural trade-offs that mean the aircraft can't be converted into a tanker, according to several Boeing officials"......
Flight International, 2-8 March - Boeing look to 7E7 for next generation tanker.
...."Senior vice-president and general manager of of Boeing air force systems George Muellner says Boeing's defence team has worked with the company's 7E7 defence team from the beginning of the project, and has already provided tanker specifications for a military variant."
Looks like an in-house battle between the various design teams. Be interesting to see who wins out, and if the BWB ever gets built.