The Boeing Company has completed 50 percent of the design releases for the new 747-8 Freighter. The program has released the 747-8 Freighter’s detailed designs to Boeing factories and its suppliers in order to begin building parts, assemblies and tools for the new cargo airplane.
The 747-8 Freighter, which launched in November 2005, is scheduled to start delivering in late 2009 to launch customers Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines.
The airplane will be longer than the 747-400 Freighter by 18.3 ft (5.6 m) and enjoy a maximum structural payload capability of 154 tons (140 metric tonnes) with a range of more than 4,420 nmi (8,185 km). It will offer 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than its predecessor, allowing the airplane to accommodate four more main-deck pallets and three more lower-hold pallets. Powered by GEnx engines, the 747-8 Freighter will be 17 percent more fuel efficient than the 747-400 Freighter and 30 percent quieter.
