747X Series
| Boeing 747X series | |
|---|---|
| File:Boeing 747-500X and 747-600X comparison line drawing.jpg | |
| Role | |
The Boeing 747X series was an concept airliner proposed by Boeing to succeed the 747-400, as an alternative and later replacement to the New Large Airplane. The design combined the Boeing 747's fuselage with an new wing derived from the Boeing 777.[1]
Expensive costs and very little airline interest forced Boeing to cancel it[2] and move on to the 747X, X Stretch, and 747-400XQLR. However, potential customers complained about them being meager improvements over the 747-400 and they were also discontinued. Developed technologies went to the 747-400ER and 747-8.
Design and Development
Background
After the Boeing New Large Airplane Project ended in failure, Boeing decided instead of starting from a clean sheet, to modernize the existing 747 platform. Boeing studied versions of the 747, first with propfans, like the earlier 747-500, before switching to conventional turbofans.
747-500X Series
At the 1996 Farnborough Airshow, Boeing announced the 747-500X and -600X to directly compete with the Airbus A3XX. The -500X and -600X studies would be a stretched 747-400 with an all-new wing and other technologies derived from the 777. Ater Airbus unveiled the A3XX-200, Boeing also unveiled the 747-700X, to compete directly with the A3XX[3].
Despite aggressive marketing and lobbying targeted at former customers of the 747, no firm orders were placed on the 747-500X, -600X, or -700X.[4] Combined with a developmental cost of US$5 billion, Boeing cancelled the program in 1997.[2] Like the McDonnell Douglas MD-12, a few skeptics believed this and the later 747X program was simply to lure Airbus into continuing to develop the A3XX, while Boeing developed the Boeing Sonic Cruiser, and later the Boeing 787.[citation needed]
747X Series
When Airbus made it clear it was committing itself to the A380, Boeing responded with the 747X Series, which originally constituted the 747X, 747X Stretch, and 747-400X. Unlike its predecessor, we have information on the powerplant, as they would have been powered by either the Engine Alliance GP7172 or the Rolls-Royce Trent 600, both of which powered the A380 and would have also powered the 767-400ERX. It also was more modest in comparison to the 747-500X series, as the 747X Series only used a new wing root, which lengthened the wing to 263 ft (80 m), while not being as expensive.
Like its predecessor, it harnessed technology originally for the 777, as the 747X and X Stretch featured a 777-based interior. Also like its predecessor, it failed to attract any firm orders, leading to the program to be canceled in March 2001.[5] However, the idea of an increased MTOW 747-400 lead to the 747-400ER.
747-400XQLR
After the failure of the 747X Series, Boeing developed more ideas on how to improve the aging 747-400. That idea transitioned to the 747-400XQLR(747-400X Quiet Long Range) It featured many technologies later reused on the 747 Advanced(later 747-8), such as raked wingtips and sawtooth nacelles.
Like the former two, it also failed to have firm orders, and this, combined with the economic downturn as an result of the September 11 attacks and the rise of ETOPS aircraft, resulted in its termination in late 2002 and early 2003.
Variants
747-500X/600X/700X series
The 747-500X/600X/700X series consisted of three aircraft: the 747-500X, the 747-600X, and the 747-700X. Despite their differences, they all shared the same new wing and a 4-wheel nose landing gear, along with a 20-wheel main landing gear, making them distinct from the 747´s common layout, the only similarity being that they shared a partial upper deck.
747-500X
The 747-500X was an 18 feet (5.5 m)[A] stretch from the 747-400, being 250 feet (76 m) and having a range of over 8,700 nmi (16,100 km; 10,000 mi) when carrying 462 passengers. It also had a gross weight of over 1 E6lb[convert: unknown unit].[6]
It failed to have any interest by customers.
747-600X
The 747-600X was an even larger, 47 feet (14 m) stretch to 279 feet (85 m)[A]. It featured a seating of 548 passengers, a range of 7,700 nmi (14,300 km; 8,900 mi), and a gross weight of 1.2 E6lb[convert: unknown unit].
Airlines had interest in this aircraft, but did not go with any firm orders.
747-700X
The 747-700X was the largest of the variants, combining the length of the 747-600X with a widened fuselage, allowing it to carry 650 passengers with the same range as an 747-400.
Since it was hypothetical, there was no airline interest.
747X/747X Stretch/747-400X/747-400XQLR
Notes
- A In contrast to the 747-400´s length of 232 ft (71 m).
References
- ↑ "Boeing approaches 747-500X/600X design freeze". FlightGlobal. 1996-11-06. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Boeing Scraps 'Superjumbo' Jet New Line Of 747s Canceled Because Of Lack Of Orders". The Spokesman-Review. 1997-01-21. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
- ↑ "Big plans and growing pains". FlightGlobal. 1996-09-18. Retrieved 2026-04-01.
- ↑ "Boeing fights airline doubts in bid for 747-X go-ahead". FlightGlobal. 1996-08-28. Retrieved 2026-04-01.
- ↑ "Boeing cancels jumbo 747X". Journal of Commerce. US. 2001-03-28. Retrieved 2026-04-01.
- ↑ Patterson, James W. (March 1998). "Impact of New Large Aircraft on Airport Design(PDF)" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
Category:Abandoned civil aircraft projects of the United States
This article "747X Series" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:747X Series. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
