Boeing delivered the first 787 Dreamliner with advanced composite parts made by Strata Manufacturing PJSC, a major milestone for the United Arab Emirates aerostructures supplier. Strata, based in Al Ain, UAE, produced vertical fin ribs for a 787-9 that was delivered by Boeing to Etihad Airways.
Strata, a fully owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Co., is now delivering advanced composites components for the 777 and 787 programs. This meets significant goals set by Boeing and Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company, to develop Strata as a tier 1 supplier to Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“Having more skilled, capable suppliers of advanced aerospace composite parts is crucial to meeting market demand in the future,” said Kent Fisher, Vice President and General Manager, Supplier Management, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Strata’s production of 787 composites for Boeing is a significant achievement in our effort to continue building a competitive supply chain for our products.”
“The delivery of the composite vertical fin ribs that are ‘made in the UAE, for the UAE’is another major accomplishment for Abu Dhabi’s aerospace industry, which is now playing an integral part in the global aerospace value chain,” said Strata CEO Badr Al Olama. “This is a major milestone that demonstrates Boeing’s trust in Strata.”
Starting in 2009, Boeing and Mubadala have announced a series of agreements intended to further initiatives in areas of strategic alignment, including composites manufacturing. In 2011, the companies said Strata would become a major tier 1 supplier to Boeing, including production of 777 empennage ribs, 787 Dreamliner vertical fin ribs and the 787 vertical fin.
In 2013, the two companies announced that Mubadala would have the opportunity to supply as much as $2.5 billion in advanced composites and machined metals to Boeing commercial programs, including the 777X and 787 Dreamliner. In 2014, Strata began delivering shipsets of 777 empennage ribs, and the first 777-300ER (Extended Range) with UAE-made composites was delivered to Emirates Airlines.
Boeing’s widebody airplanesform a major part of airline fleets in the UAE. Since 2004, Etihad Airways has ordered 18 777-300ER (Extended Range), 4 777 Freighters, 41 787-9, 30 787-10 and 25 777X airplanes.
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