The Boeing 777X Suffers Another Setback
Entering this year, Boeing (NYSE: BA) seemed to be on schedule with development of the 777X. The company planned to begin flight testing of its revolutionary jumbo-jet replacement in mid-2019, ahead of the jet's scheduled entry into service about a year later.
Unfortunately, delays have been piling up for the 777X program, forcing postponement of the first flight to 2020. Last week, the plane encountered yet another setback, as a cargo door blew out during a high-pressure stress test on the ground. This further reduces the likelihood that the aerospace and defense giant will be able to start deliveries of its newest jet model in 2020.
The basic structure of the 777X family is similar to Boeing's existing 777 family of jets. The two biggest innovations included in the new models are new GE9X engines from General Electric (NYSE: GE) -- the largest jet engines ever built -- and folding wingtips. Naturally, those components also represented the biggest development risks for the program. But they are both crucial for boosting the 777X's fuel efficiency.
Source Fool.com
