Engineering news
Measuring-up: Hundreds of sensors are embedded in the model
Low-speed wind tunnel tests have begun on the Boeing 777 at QinetiQ's test facility in Farnborough, U.K.
The low-speed tests, which are expected to last five months, will measure airplane performance with a variety of high-lift surface settings to simulate takeoff and landing conditions.
The model currently being tested is a 5.5% scale model of the baseline 777X, measuring about 4.22 metres long with a wing span of 3.92 metres. Hundreds of sensors are embedded in the model to measure pressure to determine the in-flight loads as well as provide valuable diagnostics of the aerodynamic performance of a given design.
Future aircraft: The 777X
Terry Beezhold, vice president and chief project engineer of the 777X program, said: "This is the first major development milestone for the program since we launched the program last month.
"Wind tunnel testing will validate our performance models and generate a vast amount of data that our engineering teams will use to design the airplane in this phase of development.
"We are on track to complete our top-level design in 2014 and reach firm configuration in 2015."
In 2014 the testing will also be conducted at the Boeing transonic wind tunnel in Seattle, USA, to further validate 777X high-speed performance projections.
The 777X program was launched last month with 259 orders and commitments from Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways.
Designed specifically for the 777X, the GE9X engine features efficient core technology and a composite fan optimised for the 777X.
The GE9X engine 777X facts and figures - Engine: GE9X
- Operating cost: 15% lower than the 777
- Fuel consumption: 20% lower than the 777
- Range: Equal to or better than the 777 family which has a range capability of 5,240 nautical miles (9,700 km) to 9,395 nautical miles (17,395 km).
- Seat Count: The 777-8X will carry approximately 350 passengers while the 777-9X will carry approximately 400.
- First Delivery: The end of the decade
Watch the Boeing 777X video