Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is contemplating a conversion programme for the Boeing 787 as part of its strategic future projects. Shmuel Kuzi, IAI’s executive vice president and general manager of the aviation group, discussed this potential new venture at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Currently, IAI is on the verge of receiving a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Boeing 777-300 conversion programme. Simultaneously, IAI has been working for over 18 months on an Airbus A330 conversion project, expected to obtain its STC in about two years.
Looking ahead, Kuzi highlighted the Boeing 787 as a possible candidate for future conversion. He noted that the model’s payload capacity, approximately 60 tonnes, would position it competitively in the medium-widebody sector, alongside the Airbus A330 and the older Boeing 767 models. The Boeing 787, which first flew in 2009, will be approaching the right age for conversion in three to four years, aligning with the anticipated timeframe for obtaining the necessary STC.
However, Kuzi acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the 787’s composite construction—a first for IAI. Unlike traditional metal aircraft, converting a composite airframe presents different technical difficulties. Despite these challenges, Kuzi expressed confidence in IAI’s ability to innovate and overcome them, leveraging their extensive experience with composite materials.
IAI is also making strides to enhance its conversion efficiency. In March, the company introduced a ‘Global Control Center’ (GCC) system designed to streamline and reduce the freighter conversion process. This initiative reflects IAI’s commitment to advancing its capabilities and staying ahead in the competitive aerospace market.