IOC: 1970
Total Production: 1,604
Total Program's Cost: USD$240 billion
Boeing 747-400F
IOC: 1993
Unitary Cost: USD$200 million
Also Known As:
Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter, Boeing 747-400BCF, Boeing 747-400LCF, Boeing 747-400SF
Origin:United States of America
Contractor/s:
Boeing
Description:
The Boeing 747 is a huge, short and long range, high capacity airliner intended primarily for intercontinental flights. This aircraft is capable of flying at Mach 0.85 carrying around 500 passengers. The first model, 747-100 ordered by Pan Am, entered service in 1970 with a take-off weight of 340-ton. Along with the -100 model, the 747-100B, -100SR for short range/high-capacity flights and -100SF freighter were introduced in 1970.
The Boeing 747-400 is the only 747 model in production incorporating major aerodynamic improvements over earlier models such as winglets to reduce drag. Along with major aerodynamic improvements, the 747-400 introduces new digital avionics, lightweight aluminum alloys, a new flight deck and entertainment systems. It is externally similar to 747-300 model.
The four-engine 747-400 can be powered alternatively by Pratt & Whitney PW4062, Rolls Royce RB211-524 or General Electric CF6-80C2 engines rated approximately at 60,000 pounds each. More than 240,000 pounds of thrust enable the 747-400 to travel at Mach 0.85 while performing intercontinental flights.
The Boeing 747-400F Freighter has a main deck nose door and a mechanized cargo handling system. An optional side cargo door allows loading of dimensional taller cargo modules. This all-cargo aircraft can transport up to 30 pallets or up to 32 containers. The first -400F model was delivered to Cargolux in 1993.
On October 6, 2004, Japan Airlines International (JAL) announced that was ordering three Boeing 747-400 special freighters with options on four additional aircraft. As of 2004, Japan Airlines International was the world's largest 747 operator. The Boeing 747-400SF are 747-400 passenger airplanes converted to the cargo role through the addition of a side cargo door, a strengthened main-cabin floor, a full main-deck lining and provisions for a new cargo handling system with an upgraded flight deck. The 747-400SF conversion program was launched in 2004. JAL's 747 passenger aircraft modification will commence in December 2005 and the first aircraft as -400SF will be delivered back in May 2006.
On October 19, 2004, Boeing and Guggenheim Aviation achieved an agreement for the purchase of four Boeing 747-400 Special Freighters. The four B747-400 passenger airplanes will undergo modification beginning in 2006 through 2009. Guggenheim Aviation will take delivery of its first B747-400SF in 2007.
On 20 May 2005, Air France agreed to turn into 747-400 Special Freighters three Boeing 747-400 Combis airplanes, also known as 747-400M, owned by the French carrier. The first modified aircraft was scheduled for delivery by June 2007. This move was aimed at phasing out Air France's aging fleet of 747-200 freighters before taking delivery of the Boeing 777 freighters. To date, the Boeing 747-400SF program has logged 33 firm orders and 29 options since its launch in January 2004.
On 17 August 2005, UPS placed an order for eight Boeing 747-400F Freighters with three aircraft to be delivered in 2007 and the remaining five in 2008. UPS 747-400F fleet will be powered by General Electric CF6-80C2-B1F engines.
In September 2005 the Boeing Special Freighter program, which turns B747-400 passenger aircraft into cargo aircraft, was renamed the Boeing Converted Freighter. The program was started in October 2003 with Cathay Pacific Airways as launch customer for the Boeing 747-400BCF. The first aircraft was expected to enter revenue service before the end of 2005.
Guggenheim Aviation Partners ordered conversion of two 747-400 airplanes into Boeing Converted Freighter October 18, 2005. Aircraft deliveries were scheduled to take place during 2008 joining five 747-400BCF previously ordered by Guggenheim Aviation Partners.
On 9 January 2006, JAL executed a previous contract option on four Boeing 747-200BCF aircraft. The previous contract was signed in October 2004 and covered four 747BCFs. With this new contract Boeing reached 37 firm orders and 25 options for the B747-400BCF airplane.
In early March 2006 Luxembourg-based CargoLux ordered two Boeing 747-400 freighters valued at $450 million and slated for delivery in 2007 and 2008.
On April 6, 2006 Avion Aircraft Trading ordered four 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCFs) to be operated by Avion Groups' subsidiary Air Atlanta Icelandic. The first converted aircraft was scheduled for delivery in August 2007.
On June 13, 2006, Boeing and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) announced a purchase agreement for two additional Boeing 747-400 Freighters valued at $460 million. Deliveries were scheduled for 2008 and 2009 replacing older 747-200 freighters. The Japanese carrier selected General Electric CF6-80C2 engines to power these aircraft. The engine contract was valued at more than $80 million.
The Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter (747-400LCF) is a specially modified 747-400 aircraft used by Boeing to transport major composite structures of the 787 Dreamliner. This special variant can accommodate three times the cargo by volume of a standard 747-400 freighter and will feature a swing tail to unload/load cargo from the back. Boeing carried out the LCF maiden flight on 9 September 2006 with the entry into service projected in early 2007. A fleet of three LCFs will ferry 787 assemblies between Japan, Italy and the United States of America.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 2
Dimensions: Height 19.4 m, Length 71 m, Wingspan 64.4 m
Weights: Max Weight 397 t, Min Weight 165 t, Payload 122,945 kg (271,043 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 248,000 lb (112,493 kg)
Performance: Max Range 8,230 km (4,444 nm), Top Speed 283 mps (Mach 0.85)
China
France
Japan
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Netherlands
Russia
Aircraft delivered to AirBridgeCargo leased from GECAS
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan
United States of America