- 16 May 2007 -
Vought delivers fuselage sections for 787

VOUGHT AIRCRAFT Industries Inc is making its first delivery for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, on which the US-based company is a program partner. The delivery includes two aft fuselage sections, called barrels, which will make up 23% of the 787’s entire fuselage structure.

The barrel sections are made using computerised lay-down of composite tape on a large barrel-shaped mould made from interlocking mandrels. The tape consists of super strong carbon fibres pre-soaked in epoxy. The large mould rotates as the tape is applied to the surface. The uncured composite material is then placed in Vought’s autoclave, said to be the world’s largest by volume (76 ft by 30 ft), for a high-temperature cure that turns the uncured composite material into a tough, high-strength structure. 

The sections have been joined together and will be flown to Everett, Washington, USA, for final assembly. Vought has completed seven aft fuselage production units and one developmental unit since production began in Charleston, South Carolina last year.

Vought Aircraft Industries Inc; www.voughtaircraft.com

<<back

To receive news and features like this every week direct to your inbox sign-up for RP Weekly.

Simply register your details to receive this free email roundup of the latest from the composites industry.

If you would like to advertise on RP Weekly please contact our sales team.

If you have some news for the composites industry or would like to comment on any of the articles on this site, contact our editorial team.

You can also access the full list of contacts here.