Boeing Acknowledges Redesign Work on Dreamliner

By J. LYNN LUNSFORD
March 21, 2008; Page A10

Boeing Co., reacting to reports that design problems have further delayed the 787 Dreamliner, acknowledged it had to strengthen a critical piece of the plane, but said the setback wasn't the "pacing item" on the jet program.

In a statement Thursday, Boeing said it had to make some "improvements" to the center wing box. The center wing box is a massive piece of structure to which the airplane's wings are attached. Besides carrying structural load during flight, it also serves as a large fuel tank.

"It is a normal part of the development of a new airplane to discover need for improvements, and that is what we are experiencing on the 787," Boeing said.

Boeing's admission that such a key part of the plane had to be redesigned comes amid other problems. The multiple issues have led to a growing belief among customers and suppliers that the program, now nine months behind schedule, is slipping even further behind.

People familiar with the matter said Boeing will likely announce an additional six-month delay when it delivers an update next month. Also, Boeing will likely scale back its estimate of how many airplanes it will deliver in 2009, to fewer than half of the original estimate of 109 airplanes, to allow its suppliers to gradually increase their output.