Spirit AeroSystems has completed its first integrated 767 forward fuselage section for Boeing.
Spirit previously designed and built four separate forward fuselage end items for the 767 — the cab, lower lobe and two side panels. These were shipped by rail to Boeing for integration.
With this new statement of work, Spirit will integrate the four sections into a single unit before shipping to Boeing.
Spirit AeroSystems vice president of Boeing Twin Aisle Programs Kristin Robert said: “By winning this new work from our customer, we are showing that our workforce, our technology and our skills are ready to move into the future.”
The 767 integration work began in October of this year in the newly-opened advanced manufacturing facility on the company’s Wichita, Kansas campus.
The building showcases Spirit’s innovative use of new technologies on production lines to improve quality and efficiency.
“With this new greenfield facility, we had the opportunity to integrate existing build process with new technology and completely rethink how we interact with the airplane throughout our assembly process,” added Spirit AeroSystems 747/767 Program Manager Kami Power. “This really demonstrates what we believe the next phase of manufacturing – the factory of the future — will look like. The benefits in this new advanced manufacturing facility will enable Spirit to increase our competitiveness through improved cost and quality and help us win future business.”
