The program will assess 19 new technologies on the Boeing 777 ecoDemonstrator and will introduce “Explorer” airplanes, which will focus tests on specific technologies.
Boeing, the American aerospace company, has announced plans to expand its ecoDemonstrator flight-test program to accelerate innovation for sustainability and safety. The program will assess 19 new technologies on the Boeing 777 ecoDemonstrator and will introduce “Explorer” airplanes, which will focus tests on specific technologies. The first ecoDemonstrator Explorer, a 787-10 Dreamliner, will conduct flight tests in June from Seattle to Tokyo, Singapore, and Bangkok to demonstrate how coordinating navigation across global airspace jurisdictions can improve operational efficiency and reduce fuel use and emissions by up to 10%.
Boeing will collaborate with air navigation service providers (ANSPs) in the US, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand to collectively sequence the airplane’s routes to achieve the optimal flight path across multiple regions, factoring in conditions such as weather, air traffic, and airspace closures. The airplane will fly on the highest available blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at each location.
Stan Deal, CEO, Boeing said, “To support our industry’s goal for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Boeing is expanding our ecoDemonstrator program with Explorer airplanes to test even more sustainability-focused technologies. We continue to invest in innovation that reduces fuel use, emissions, and noise on our products and to partner with governments and industry to make progress on sustainability during each phase of flight.”
In 2023, Boeing will also use its current flagship ecoDemonstrator airplane, a 777-200ER (Extended Range), to test 19 new technologies, including sustainable wall panels in the cargo hold made of 40% recycled carbon fiber and 60% resin made from a bio-based feedstock. Other technologies to be tested include a fiber optic fuel quantity sensor compatible with 100% SAF and an Electronic Flight Bag application featuring Smart Airport Maps, a component of Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro, which reduces operational costs and supports safe taxi operations with the depiction of contextual airport data. The airplane will fly on the highest available blend of SAF locally for all flight tests.
Chris Raymond, Chief Sustainability Officer, Boeing said, “The industry will need continued fleet renewal, efficiency gains, renewable energy carriers such as sustainable aviation fuel, and advanced technology to meet the civil aviation industry’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2050. Our initial Explorer testing in partnership with aviation stakeholders in four countries is a great example of how we can work together to optimize operational efficiency and reduce emissions.”
Since its inception in 2012, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program has accelerated innovation by testing new technologies in an operational environment. The program has already tested approximately 250 technologies to help decarbonize aviation, improve operational efficiency, and enhance safety and the passenger experience. Approximately a third of the tested technologies have progressed onto Boeing’s products and services.
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Boeing is a leading global aerospace company that develops, manufactures, and services commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability, and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality, and integrity.
