Boeing has inked a deal for five Japanese companies to manufacture key components for its twin aisle 777X jets.
The Japanese companies will make about 21 percent of the plane’s structural components, including the fuselage sections and landing gear wells.
Boeing, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries, ShinMaywa Industries and NIPPI Corp. signed the deal Thursday.
They already furnish about 35 percent of the 787 Dreamliner. Unlike their involvement with the 787, the companies won’t be making the 777X wing.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner said the deal was a celebration of a six-decade partnership.
The 21 percent is the same level Japanese manufacturers got for the predecessor 777 aircraft.
The 777X is set for delivery in 2020.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense