Bridgestone to Produce Boeing 7E7 Tyres

Bridgestone, has won a contract to supply tyres for the new Boeing 7E7 family of aeroplanes, the companies have announced. Each new 7E7 will require 10 tyres, said the Chicago based aeroplane manufacturer. Bridgestone has not disclosed the value of the contract or the number of tyres it would produce for Boeing. Bridgestone shares rose by as much as 1.78 per cent after the news was announced.

“Every 7E7 will be delivered with Bridgestone tyres,” said Mike Bair, Boeing vice president and general manager of the 7E7 programme. “Bridgestone has proven itself a wonderful partner through its work with us on many other programs, and we are pleased to have them join us on the newest Boeing airplane.”

Launched in April 2004, the 7E7 is a family of three airplanes. The 7E7-8 Dreamliner will carry 217 passengers in three-classes of seating and will have a range of up to 15,700 kilometres. The 7E7-3, a model of the 7E7-8 optimized for shorter flights, will carry 289 passengers in two-class seating on ranges up to 6,500 kilometers. The 7E7-9, a longer version of the 7E7-8, will carry 257 passengers in three classes and will have a range of 8,300 nautical miles 15,400 kilometers.

Bridgestone will supply 40×16.0R16 28PR radial tyres for the front wheels on all three Dreamliner models. It will supply 50×20.0R22 34PR radials for the main wheels on the core model, the 7E7-8. It will supply 50×20.0R22 26PR radials for the short-haul 7E7-3 and 52×21.0R22 36PR radials for the stretch-version Dreamliner, the 7E7-9. Bridgestone tyres are also delivered on the Boeing 737, 747-400, 767 and 777.