Suppliers in Europe are hoping that recent Boeing decisions to use European know-how for several key systems on the proposed 7E7 Dreamliner, including the landing gear, signal a policy of true global sourcing for the U.S. manufacturer, similar to that adopted by Airbus. Earlier this month, Boeing named Messier-Dowty to supply the landing gear for the 7E7- the first time a Boeing airliner will use gear from outside North America. The move followed the selection of Smiths Aerospace for the Common Core System, a software and electronics package that will host the aircraft's avionics and utility functions, and Dassault Systemes for the aircraft's Product Life Management program (AW&STMar. 8, p. 54; Feb. 16, p. 39). European suppliers expect global sourcing pressures to give them a significant share of systems work on the 7E7, as U.S. firms have secured on the Airbus A380 mega-transport. U.S. content on the A380 will reach a record 50% (AW&STMar. 8, p. 46).
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