737 MAX10 Convergence With The NMA: 757 Replacement From The Efficient 737 Production System

737 MAX9 with MAX8

Boeing is discussing two plane concepts, the so-called 737 MAX10, and the so-called NMA or New Midsize Airplane, also called MOM or Middle Of Market. After Boeing's new offering of the revised longer 737 MAX7.

The MAX10 is envisioned as a stretch of the MAX9 using the larger LEAP-1 engine developed for Airbus and COMAC. This will mean longer landing gears, redesigned wingbox, and maybe a relofted wing and more radical forward and up engine placement. The Boeing strategy here is to market fastest with minimum modifications cost at the most affordable price and seat cost, a competitor to the Airbus A-321NEO.

The so-called NMA or New Midsize Airplane will be a much longer term aircraft project that will entail massive investments from Boeing and new technological innovation requirements. Bank of America estimates a new NMA would cost $15 billion to develop and would list for around $163 million each.

I think NMA will ultimately be the basis of a 737 Replacement Program using designed-from-the-start shrinks of the NMA design covering the MAX8 to MAX10 capabilities envelope. I discussed this inBoeing 797 - The Boeing 757 and Boeing 737 Replacement at http://planetalks.blogspot.com/2014/11/boeing-797-boeing-757-and-boeing-737.html

Bank of America Boeing 7M7 concept

Merril Lynch Boeing 7M7 Oval Concept

Boeing's NMA Oval concept

The Boeing 737 MAX10 concept is the appropriate near-term solution for Boeing's not so competitive posture vis-a-vis the Airbus A-321NEO market position where they are at a 30-70 disadvantage. The NMA can later on develop the market sector and with built-in efficient shrink design be the 737 and 757 Replacement Program. Then Boeing will need a 717 Replacement to compete with the smaller Bombardier CSeries that will soon capture that sector.