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Boeing 737 (Series)

1968 COLD WAR FALKLANDS WAR MODERN AIRCRAFT

The History of the Boeing 737 (Series)

Despite entering service in 1968 (Lufthansa), the Boeing 737 still flies high today (2018). Over 10,000 aircraft in this family have been built (March 2018), with production from 1966 to the present.

The success of this model has led to the realization of a large number of variants, including multiple military platforms for various global services, including the United States. At some point in its career, the 737 was the best-selling airliner in the worldone of the reasons it's still in widespread service today (2018).

The 737 was originally developed as a narrow-body airliner for the short- and medium-haul aircraft market. Born from the 707 and 727 frames, the 737 should enable Boeing to provide a reliable, cost-effective business at every level of global interest. Engineers developed a conventional tubular passenger tug with a low-wing main aircraft, tricycle landing gear and a single-stern tail. Each main aircraft is equipped with a base engine nacelle designed to provide the aircraft with the range, power and performance required by the short to medium range market.

In its construction, the Type 737 and its sister design, the Type 727, rely on up to 60 percent of common components.

Type 737 "Classic" includes the 737-300, 737-400 and 737-500 series - the second generation of the Type 737. The line is built upon the arrival of the 737-600, 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900 series. From 1984 to 2000, nearly 2,000 aircraft of various types were produced.

The 737-300, -400 and -500 are powered by the CFM56-3 turbofan engine with 20,000 to 23,500 pounds of thrust per unit. The 737-600, -700, -800 and -900 series are equipped with the CFM56-7 turbofan engine rated from 20,000 pounds to 27,000 pounds of thrust, respectively.

The 'Next Generation' (NG) 737 came online in the 1990s to better compete with the A320 offered by Airbus France (detailed elsewhere on this site). This move resulted in the aforementioned 737-600, -700, -800 and -900 series.

Since then, total production has exceeded 6,550 units as the company tries to maintain its market leadership. The United States Navy (USN) has adopted the P-8 Poseidon for its future maritime needs at sea - the aircraft is based on the 737NG model's frame.

The 77-33 is an improved business jet version of the 737-300. It was followed by Boeing Business Jets (BBJ), which increased range and borrowed elements from the 737-700 and 737-800 series. The first flight was recorded in September 1998. It was followed by the Boeing Business Jet 2 (BBJ2), based on the 737-800 brand, which increased interior capacity at the expense of range. The first delivery was in February 2001.

The third generation of the BBJ came in the form of the Boeing Business Jet 3 (BBJ3), built from the 737-900ER (extended range) product. Also, while increasing the range, more interior volume was also gained.

Launched in 2016, the 737-800BCF is a dedicated freighter developed as a "Boeing Converted Freighter" (BCF). The plan includes converting old, aging people transport aircraft to freighter standards. The first delivery took place in 2018.

In response to the Airbus threat, the 737 MAX was developed - its direct competitor became the A320neo (detailed elsewhere on this site). The program was launched in August 2011, and Southwest Airlines became its launch customer in May 2017.

The MAX family includes the MAX7, MAX8, MAX9, MAX10, commercial derivatives, and the MAX200.

The 737 MAX-7, -8, -9 and -10 aircraft are equipped with CFM LEAP-1B turbofan engines, each delivering up to 29,300 pounds of thrust.

Coming into 2018, the total number of committed/delivered units for the 737 line was 14,725, with approximately 4,648 on order. Production peaked in 2017 at 529 units. With 320 deliveries, 1999 was the most in any calendar year for the aircraft.

In addition to its obvious civilian market value, the Type 737 has proven to be a hit with many militaries around the world - from Argentina and Australia to Thailand and Turkey.

Specification

Basic

Year:

1968

Status:

active, on duty

Staff:

Production

[14,725 units]:

Boeing Aircraft Company - USA

Roles

- Traffic

- Commercial Market

Dimensions

Length:

28.6m

Width:

28.3m

Height:

37.07 ft (11.3 m)

Weight

Curb Weight:

28,120 kg

MTOW:

110,011 lbs (49,900 kg)

(difference: +48.017lb)

Performance

2 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-5/-7/-9/-17 turbofans, 14,000 lbs thrust each.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

544 mph (876 km/h; 473 knots)

Service Limit:

35,105 ft (10,700 m; 6.65 mi)

Maximum range:

2,600 miles (4,184 km; 2,259 nautical miles)

Armor

No.

Changes

Type 737 - Basic Series Names

737-100 - with 2 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7 19,000 lbf engines; 104 to 118 passengers; 30 copies made.

737-200; 1,114 copies made.

737-200C - 96 examples were made.

737-200 Adv - 865 copies made.

737-300 - 1,113 copies were produced.

737-400 - with 2 x CFM International 56-3B-2 20,000 lbf engines; 159 to 168 passengers; 486 copies made.

737-500 - with 2 x CFM 56-3B-1 20,000 lbf engines; 123 to 132 passengers; 389 copies made.

737NG ("Next Generation") - Serial Development Code; applies to Models 737-600, 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900.

737-600 - with 2 x CFM 56-7B20 22,700 lbf engines; 123 to 132 passengers; 68 copies made.

737-700 - with 2 x CFM 56-7B26 26,300 lbf engines; 140 to 149 passengers; 847 copies made.

737-700ER - with 2 x CFM 56-7B26 26,300 lbf engines; 140 to 149 passengers.

737-800 - with 2 x CFM 56-7B27 27,300 lbf engines; 162 to 189 passengers; 1,207 copies made.

737-800BCF ("Boeing Converted Freighter") - a freighter variant of the Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft.

737-900 - Made 55 examples.

737-900ER - 165 has been ordered.

737-900ER - with 2 x CFM 56-7 27,300 lbf engines; 177 to 215 passengers.

737-BBJ1 - 95 has been ordered.

737-BBJ2 - 13 ordered.

737-BBJ3

737 MAX - series development code; based on previous 737 design models, but with CFM International LEAP-1B engines and minor aerodynamic improvements, including winglets for increased efficiency.

737 MAX 7 - Based on 737-700/MAX 8 design; announced July 2016; increased range and passenger options; introduced February 2018.

737 MAX 8 - Successor to the 737-800 model of the 737 NG series; extended hull version of the MAX 7; increased range.

737 MAX 200 - Released September 2014; high-density variant of the 737 MAX 8; can accommodate up to 200 passengers.

737-8ERX - Proposed model based on 737 MAX 8; increased MTOW and longer range; main wing aircraft, center section and landing gear of MAX 9.

737 MAX 9 - successor to the 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900 series models; extended fuselage version of the MAX 8 model; scope of improvements.

737 Max 10 (737-10) - Extruded model; larger variant based on MAX 9 due to market demand.

BBJ MAX 8 (Boeing Business Jet) - passenger model proposed for the business market; equipped with CFM LEAP-1B engines.

BBJ MAX 9 (Boeing Business Jet) - passenger model proposed for the commercial market; equipped with CFM LEAP-1B engines.