Boeing engineers select BAE Systems spoiler control electronics to optimize 737 MAX aerodynamics
ENDICOTT, N.Y., 2 July 2013. Engineers at the Boeing Company needed spoiler control electronics for the new Boeing 737 MAX commercial aircraft. The found their solution at BAE Systems.
“Our spoiler control electronics will help Boeing achieve its goal of improving the handling characteristics for the world’s most advanced single-aisle plane, the 737 MAX,” explains Dr. Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Commercial Aircraft Solutions at BAE Systems. “The reliability and cost effectiveness of our spoiler control design reflects BAE Systems’ successful history of flight controls.”
BAE Systems' relationship with Boeing has evolved over the last six decades, from developing the first weapon control for the F-4 jet fighter to providing avionics and control subsystems for commercial and military Boeing airplanes.
The BAE Systems team demonstrated a system that showed technical readiness and reduced development risk when introduced on the Boeing 737 MAX, says a company spokesperson. “Boeing appreciates BAE Systems’ commitment to the Partnering for Success program, and their focus on reducing cost to meet program objectives,” said Kent Fisher, vice president of Supplier Management at Boeing. “BAE Systems’ proposal was an aggressive approach toward making the 737 MAX successful. We look forward to collaborating with them on this and future opportunities.”
The 737 MAX, a new-engine variant of the Boeing 737 commercial jet transport airplane, builds on the strengths of the Next-Generation 737 with advancements in fuel efficiency and environmental performance. Equipped with the new LEAP-1B engines from CFM International and improvements such as the Advanced Technology winglet, the 737 MAX reduces fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 13 percent and maintains the 8 percent operating cost advantage over the future competition, according to a spokesperson. More than 1,300 orders have been placed for the airplane to date.
The spoiler control electronics will be developed at BAE Systems’ Endicott, N.Y., facility and manufactured at its Ft. Wayne, Ind., facility. The delivery of the first 737 MAX is expected in 2017.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
