Aircraft
Boeing Confronts Challenges of 777 Automation Push
Company says delays in transition to FAUB won’t threaten 777X EIS schedule, however.
Top, a 777 aft fuselage sits in mobile cradles as a robot is positioned to fasten its panels as part of Boeing’s FAUB process in Everett, Washington.
Top, a 777 aft fuselage sits in mobile cradles as a robot is positioned to fasten its panels as part of Boeing’s FAUB process in Everett, Washington.

While Boeing continues to express confidence in its ability to smoothly manage the transition between the current generation 777 airliner and the new 777X, one of the keys to its success hangs on preparation for a new automation process. That has proved every bit the challenge some had anticipated. In fact, while speaking with a group of reporters just before the show in the 777 factory in Everett, Washington, BCA (Boeing Commercial Aircraft) v-p of 777 and 777X operations Jason Clark characterized as the learning process associated with the move to a fuselage automated upright build, or FAUB, as “really hard.”