B737 MAX in the works

Boeing (BA) 737 MAX Airplane Passes 'Firm Concept' Milestone

(By Balaseshan) Aerospace giant Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) said its newest single-aisle airplane, the 737 MAX, has recently passed a major milestone in development known as 'firm concept'.

"The team has a firm plan in place to incorporate all the changes necessary to realize a 13 percent fuel-use reduction within the scope and schedule of the program," said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager 737 program.

Fuel-use reduction changes include new LEAP-1B engines from CFM International, a redesigned tail cone and advanced technology winglets. Other changes allow these fuel-saving features to be integrated into the overall airplane design.

Boeing also decided to incorporate limited systems changes to the 737 MAX. These include an electronic bleed air system that will be supplied by Honeywell and large-format displays, supplied by Rockwell Collins, for the flight deck of the 737 MAX.

The 737 MAX flight deck will have four new large displays with significant growth capability while maintaining a common look-and-feel with the Next-Generation 737 display formats that preserves commonality with training across the 737 family.