Boeing Co. (BA) has completed the static test necessary to validate the side-of-body modification made to the 787 Dreamliner. The company expects a full analysis of the test results to be concluded in approximately 10 days. A successful test result is needed to clear the airplane for its planned first flight next month.
During the test on the 787 Dreamliner static test airframe, the wing and trailing edges of the airframe were subjected to its limit load – the highest loads expected to be seen in service. The load is about the same as 2.5 times the force of gravity for the wing. Boeing announced on Jun 23, 2009 that it was necessary to reinforce an area of structure at the side-of-body section of the 787.
The modification entails installing new fittings at 34 stringer locations within the joint where the wing is attached to the fuselage. The modifications were completed on the first two flight-test airplanes and the full-scale static test airplane earlier this month. The recent test was an important milestone for the program.
Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial jet liners and military aerospace products (based on total sales). Boeing designs and produces commercial airplanes, defense systems, and civil and defense space systems. It is also the largest NASA contractor.
Boeing’s non-airplane products include helicopters, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, rocket engines, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems.
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