Boeing 737NEXt (New Engine eXtra) Production Plans

Based on the present configuration of Boeing 737NG production capacity, and if Boeing decides on a major revamp of the design it may do:

1. New aluminum alloys and additional composites on the fuselage to leverage present Spirit AeroSystems production capacity.
2. Aerodynamic reprofiling to reduce drag
3. Optimized composite wings to compensate higher engine weight and drag. Composite outer skin may provide better wing shaping and better laminar flow while staying with present wing structures
4. New gate-to-gate trip optimization avionics
5. More spacious cabin through better seating configuration, seat design, and cabin wall optimization at shoulder and knee level

Possible new production lines for the re-engined Boeing 737NG that I call the Boeing 737NEXt (New Engine eXtra), aside from the current Renton, Washington production lines are

1. Near the Spirit AeroSystems plant in Wichita, Kansas where present Boeing 737NG fuselages are assembled

2. The C-17 plant in Long Beach, California where Boeing is winding down its C-17 production, that was originally the main plant of McDonnel Douglas and where the Boeing 717 was also assembled

3. Near the new 787 North Charleston, South Carolina assembly plant

Aside from financial and logistical considerations, Boeing should add into consideration force majeure probability considerations. This will include the Japanese earthquake and consequent tsunami lessons, hurricane threat, flooding, political upheavals, etc.

Boeing's production capacity is highly concentrated in Washington state and Kansas to some extent. It may be a prudent move to locate other Boeing 737NEXt plants in other areas as enumerated above, and other safe areas.