Jetrader - May/June 2009 - 13

A Forward View has created real tension. It’s a difﬁcult time to see beyond the current business environment, and customers are understandably asking for improvements to alleviate their costs. We’re looking at a broad range of alternatives and want to be in a position to better understand what our choices are. J: What is Boeing’s general approach to the development of new technology? JV: If there’s one constant method that we follow, it’s that we want to continue to be at the forefront of technology, particularly with respect to materials, including composites, as well as systems and aerodynamics. We’re carefully monitoring what’s going on with the engine manufacturers. They have new technologies that have to be matured, but these hold the promise of presenting us with an almost unprecedented opportunity to bring value to the marketplace. J: What aspects of engine technology do you see as most promising? JV: Each engine manufacturer has a somewhat different plan. The company that’s made the earliest move is Pratt and Whitney with its geared turbofan technology. They have ﬁnished demonstrations of an engine prototype that has ﬂown on their own ﬂying test bed, as well as the Airbus A340-600. From all indications, they are making impressive progress with their engine development plan. Certainly GE, in association with Snecma and Rolls-Royce, are not standing still. CFM has talked about its Leap-X technology for 2016, and Rolls-Royce promotes advanced turbofan engine architecture, but they’re also pursuing a serious study of open-rotor engines that may be very fuel efﬁcient. Jetrader 13 Jeff VerWey, director of integrated product strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes Jetrader recently asked Jeff VerWey, director of integrated product strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, to look beyond today’s market challenges at the manufacturer’s longer-term product direction. Here are his thoughts. J: What’s Boeing’s current thinking in regard to its commercial product strategy? Jeff VerWey: Right now we’re looking at opportunities to take technology incorporated into the 787 and leverage it into derivatives of our current products or ultimately into new products. Uncertainty in the marketplace and concern about rising fuel prices All photos courtesy of Boeing

Jetrader - May/June 2009

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