Opinion: Will Boeing Become The Next McDonnell Douglas? | FerrariChat

Opinion: Will Boeing Become The Next McDonnell Douglas?

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by NYC Fred, Feb 18, 2021.

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  1. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 Veteran
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    Fred C
    #1 NYC Fred, Feb 18, 2021
    I'll just leave this here...

    (((Douglas Aircraft started down a 30-year path toward extinction when it merged with McDonnell in 1967. McDonnell management prioritized military programs and was not willing to make the investment necessary to maintain its commercial jetliner market position. By the time it merged with Boeing, Douglas’ jetliner products were on their last legs.

    It has been nearly 25 years since Boeing and McDonnell Douglas merged. Given Boeing’s significant engineering cuts, program execution problems, clear prioritization of shareholder returns, extremely uncertain product development road map and deteriorating market share outlook, it is time to consider whether Boeing Commercial Aircraft (BCA) is destined to share Douglas’ fate. Three criteria are key: ...)



    https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/aircraft-propulsion/opinion-will-boeing-become-next-mcdonnell-douglas
     
  2. F1tommy

    F1tommy F1 World Champ
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    Tom Tanner
    #2 F1tommy, Feb 18, 2021
    We might get another merger to offset the loss of the Chinese small/medium size airline fleet sales in 10-15 years as they are developing their own aircraft. Maybe Airbus and Boeing will get alot closer in the future not out of choice but necessity. Boeing is not going out of business, but the commercial division might also be spun off to an investment group, that would not surprise me. How the EU and the US react and try to retaliate towards China due to Covid 19 also will make a big difference in the next few years.
     
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  3. Jeff Kennedy

    Jeff Kennedy F1 Veteran
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    #3 Jeff Kennedy, Feb 18, 2021
    I would hate to see Boeing going to an investment group/private equity. Hopefully the investment groups remember the disaster of Hawker/Beechcraft and Chrysler.

    The aircraft business has to have a long horizon for development. Even variants of existing aircraft take years to get through development and certification.

    The engines and avionics are the two critical items for advancements. They also constitute a major portion of the aircraft cost. Lots of pundits talk about the need for a clean sheet replacement for the 737. Yet they miss the point that if it does not significantly reduce the cost of operation for their clients (the airlines; not the passengers) then it is not viable. It is also assumed that the manufacturing cost for the new aircraft would go up with all the expected/projected use of composites for the wings and fuselage. The conundrum is that the engines will deliver the vast majority of any fuel burn savings and that applies to a clean sheet design or another revision to an existing model. And the avionics can be changed without designing a new aircraft around them. The big idea that composite fuselages are the savior is tempered against their inability to withstand the high frequency operation and thumping by the ground equipment during turnarounds.

    I remember stories that in the early 2000s while the 787 was still in development that Boeing had a composite 737 replacement in design. It died when they could not solve all the assorted considerations.
     

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