Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner begins major assembly

Major assembly of the first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner is underway, the latest major milestone in the development of the newest member of the super-efficient 787 family. Boeing partner Kawasaki Heavy Industries began installing the circular frames into the midforward section of the fuselage on March 14th, a full two weeks ahead of schedule. As a straightforward stretch of the 787-9, which entered service in 2014, Boeing designed the 787-10 for both superior efficiency and maximum commonality. Ninety-five percent of the design and build of the 787-10 and 787-9 will be identical, reducing complexity, cost and risk across the entire production system while providing operational benefits to customers. The 787-10, which will undergo final assembly at Boeing South Carolina in North Charleston, will set a new benchmark in efficiency when deliveries begin in 2018. To date, the 787-10 has won 153 orders from nine leading customers around the world, accounting for 13% of all 787 orders.