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Mettis secures $5m US orders on new Boeing 787 Dreamliner
September 2006

Mettis Aerospace has secured a $5 million contract to supply key components for the air management system on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The contract has been awarded to the Midland-based company by Hamilton Sundstrand, a division of giant United Technologies Corporation based in Connecticut, USA.

Gordon Jamieson , vice-president, USA Sales for Mettis said: “Mettis has successfully developed as a supplier to Hamilton Sundstrand, from forgings in aluminium and titanium, to finished machined and processed components, ready for assembly into their electro-mechanical system.

“This project is one of a number of  supply solutions that Mettis has been working on with Hamilton Sundstrand over the past year and we look forward to developing the relationship still further in the near future.”

He added: “Mettis is rapidly expanding its USA business as its North American customers seek to buy in more ‘ ready to fit’ items from suppliers with a global capability.

“The take up from the USA marketplace for a supplier able to provide forged product in a kit box , machined and ready to fly, has been exceptional this year .

“We are  winning positions in a  global market on new-generation  aircraft and engines with major names in the industry. To do this we must be able to provide our customers solutions that fit their plans.”

The 787-8 Dreamliner will carry 210 - 250 passengers on routes of  8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,700 kilometers), while the 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 - 290 passengers on routes of 8,600 to 8,800 nautical miles (15,900 to 16,300 km).

A third 787 family member, the 787-3 Dreamliner, will accommodate 290 - 330 passengers and be optimized for routes of 3,000 to 3,500 nautical miles (5,550 to 6,500 km).

In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 will provide airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance.

The aircraft will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than today's similarly sized airplane.

Passengers will also see improvements with the new aircraft, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience.

Boeing has selected General Electric and Rolls-Royce to develop engines for the new airplane. It is expected that advances in engine technology will contribute as much as eight percent of the increased efficiency of the new aircraft, representing almost a two-generation jump in technology for the middle of the market.