Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., today celebrated completion of the 100th Boeing 787 composite forward fuselage section. This section will be shipped to Boeing's final assembly facility in Charleston, S.C., early next year.

"As we roll out the 100th 787 forward fuselage today, I would like to congratulate all Spirit AeroSystems' employees who support the 787, many who have been on the program since 2003," said Terry George, Spirit vice president, 787 program. "Throughout the years we have faced many challenges but continue to refine the airplane configuration, enhance our production system, and methodically step up the production rate over the past few years. The 787 airplane brings significant value to the airlines and the flying public and we are proud to be a big part of the program."

Spirit is responsible for the forward fuselage section, pylon, and wing leading edge.

Using state-of-the-art fiber placement equipment, the 787 composite forward fuselage is built as a single barrel at Spirit's Wichita, Kan., facility. Once the composite plies are wrapped over the barrel's complex, compound contours, it is wrapped and prepared for curing in a 70 ft. by 30 ft. autoclave. When completed, the 787 composite forward fuselage sections are flown onboard Boeing's Dreamlifter, a modified 747 cargo plane, to one of Boeing's final assembly facilities in either Everett, Wash., or Charleston, S.C.