Boeing drops Laminar Flow Control

Boeing has announced that they're dropping the Hybrid Laminar Flow Control system from the 777X, and are reviewing plans to include it on future 787 aircraft. According to Boeing, the system doesn't scale up linearly to the 777 size, moving it out of the "sweet spot" that it gives the 787-8 performance. They also don't need the additional performance.

More interestingly, they're reviewing the continued use of the system on the 787-9 and 787-10. It appears the system is working well on the 787-8, although few details about its performance are available.

Boeing has decided to drop the hybrid laminar flow control (HLFC) drag reduction system from the 777X and may even review its future use on the stretched 787 derivatives.

The company, which developed the system initially for the 787-9, says the drag benefits do not justify its inclusion on the 777X which is due to achieve firm configuration later this summer. The system has been under consideration for the 777X since the start of the program and at one stage was considered such a certainty that planning documents for the extension of the Everett facility to handle the new twinjet Boeing specifically identify three new spray booths for ‘vertical fin HLFC’ use.

aviationweek.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

I wonder if they are dumping the system for more reasons than just extra cost, weight and maintenance like a better more turn key laminar flow system that doesn't require all the maintenance and maybe works using different but simpler methodilogy?

a reply to: BASSPLYR

I think maybe the bean counters killed. Not worth the money to continue development on the other air frames for the potential fuel savings.
Boeing's got a lot of overhead costs coming up that they may need to capital for.

Its always easier to include it into a new design than try retrofit into an existing one.