Boeing
737-700w ~ Kittyhawk
The
737-600 and -700 are the smaller members of Boeing's successful
Next Generation 737-600/700/800/900 family.
Among the many changes, the Next Generation 737s feature more
efficient CFM56-7B turbofans. The CFM56-7 combines the core
of the CFM56-5 with the CFM56-3's low pressure compressor and
a 1.55m (61in) fan. The 737's new wing has greater chord, span
and wing area, while the tail surfaces are also larger. The
2.4m (8ft) high winglets first developed for the Boeing Business
Jet development are now offered as an option on the 737-700
(and -800).
The new engines and wings allow the 737 to cruise at Mach 0.78
to Mach 0.80, while the larger wing allows greater fuel tankage
and transcontinental USA range. Other features include a 777
style EFIS flightdeck with six flat panel LCDs which can be
programmed to present information as on the 777 or as on the
737-300/400/500 series, allowing a common pilot type rating
for the two 737 families.
The improved Next Generation Boeing 737 family (originally covered
by the 737X designation) was launched in November 1993. The
737-700 was the first member of the new family to be developed,
and is based on the 737-300, while the 737-600 is based on the
737-500.
The 737-700 rolled out on December 7 1996, was granted certification
in November 1997 and entered service (with Southwest) the following
month. The 737-600 was launched was launched on March 16 1996,
first flew on January 22 1998 and entered service (with SAS)
in September that year.
The Boeing Business Jet or BBJ (described separately) is based
on the fuselage of the 737-700 with the larger 737-800's wing.
The BBJ's airframe also forms the basis for the convertible
passenger/freighter variant of the 700, the 737-700QC, which
has been ordered by the US Navy as the C-40A Clipper (to replace
the DC-9 based C-9B). The C-40 first flew on April 17 2000.
The naval aircraft can be converted to carry 121 passengers,
or 3 pallets of cargo plus 70 passengers, or 8 pallets of cargo
only. These aircraft are currently (2002) based at Naval Air
Station Fort Worth, Texas (VR-59) and Naval Air Station Jacksonville,
Florida (VR-58).
The US Air Force has bought two ex-Fordair BBJs, which are designated
C-40B.
