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The first delivery of Boeing’s mid-sized 787 Dreamliner aircraft has been pushed back further, to February 2011, because a Rolls-Royce engine needed for the final phases of flight tests is not ready.
The innovative “green” 787 uses large amounts of composites to decrease weight and increase fuel efficiency by up to 20%. The aircraft was announced in 2005 but is 2½ years behind schedule after being postponed a number of times.
The development programme has been beset by problems, including workmanship issues with suppliers, shortage of parts, and last-minute design changes.
Boeing said the latest delay follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of the flight test in the autumn. It was working closely with Rolls-Royce to expedite engine availability.
The Trent 1000 engine is one of two options for the 787. The other is General Electric’s GEnx.
The Trent 1000 has been selected for the first tranche of 787 Dreamliners being delivered to All Nippon Airways and Air New Zealand. The engine has a maximum thrust of 75,000 lbs, a fan diameter in excess of 2.7m and weighs more than five tonnes.
It was first built and run in 2006. However, last month Rolls-Royce said one had failed during testing, releasing debris. According to insiders this was unusual so late in development.
Derby-based Rolls-Royce denied that the engine test problems and the delays to the Boeing 787 were linked.
It said: “We have been informed by Boeing that the planned dates for the Trent 1000 engine deliveries will not support their latest flight test programme requirements.
“The engine availability issue is unrelated to the testbed event earlier this month.”
The repeated delays have damaged orders for the 787, with 83 aircraft cancelled last year.
The competing aircraft by rival firm Airbus, the A350XWB, is due for first delivery in July 2013.