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Boeing shuts down Sonic Cruiser and proposes new B.7E7

Aeromedia regularly receives the press releases from Boeing. End of 2002, for unknown reasons, no official statements arrived from the U.S. manufacturer about their withdrawal from the controversal Sonic Cruiser concept, nor regarding the switch to a more conventional Super Efficient Airplane, less futuristic but more suited to the cost savings reuirements of the customer airlines. Now Seattle (January 29) announces new assignments for the 7E7 programme, as the Super-Efficient has been provisionally named. The first virtual picture of the B.7E7 shows a promising aircraft coming from the best Boeing design tradition.
The Boeing Company named four executives to key leadership assignments on its new super-efficient, mid-sized commercial airplane programme, designated for development as the Boeing 7E7. Michael B. Bair, 46, is appointed senior vice president of the Boeing 7E7 program. Bair will lead all aspects of the development effort and report directly to Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. The following senior executives will report to Bair: Walter B. Gillette, 61, will be responsible for full development of the airplane, including engineering, manufacturing and partner alignment. John N. Feren, 47, will lead sales, marketing and in-service support. Craig A. Saddler, 43, will lead finance and business operations.
The Boeing 7E7 is being developed as a 200- to 250-seat airplane that will fly between 7,000 and 8,000 nautical miles (13.000/14.800 km) at speeds similar to today's fastest twin-aisle commercial airplanes -- the 777 and 747. It will be the most advanced and efficient commercial airplane in its class and will set new standards for environmental responsibility and passenger comfort. Dimensions, passenger accomodation and range data place the new aircraft to counter Airbus A 330, a market segment where Boeing is now offering models such as B.757 and B.767. The announced basic configuration of 7E7 doesn't overlap the B.777.
The airplane will be based on the enabling technologies developed with a global industry team during the company's examination of the Sonic Cruiser concept. Sonic Cruiser, despite never having reached a full programme go-ahead, attracted the resources of a number of aerospace companies worldwide (Alenia of Italy, Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi of Japan, Hawker de Havilland of Australia, GKN of United Kingdom, Stork Fokker of Netherlands, and other U.S. firms such as Fischer and Vought). Now the same companies will be involved in the development of 7E7.
The market potential for a new airplane of this size is forecast for up to 3,000 units over the next 20 years. The company expects to formally offer the new airplane to customers in early 2004, with entry into service targeted for 2008. Before this date, airlines must be also convinced to buy, for a while, some more units of "inefficient airplanes".

In the picture: The first released virtual picture of the Boeing 7E7. (Boeing)

(Aeromedia, February 2003)