PPG Aerospace to Redesign Windshields for Boeing Next-Generation 737 Airplanes
August 14, 2009

Spirit AeroSystems has contracted PPG Industries' aerospace transparencies business to redesign the laminated glass windshields for Boeing's Next-Generation 737 planes.

The windshields are being redesigned at Boeing's request to accommodate airframe improvements, according to a statement released by PPG. To meet Boeing specifications, the redesigned windshields will be slightly smaller than the current versions and include an inboard plastic anti-spall liner to prevent broken glass from entering the flight deck during a bird-strike event, according to Art Scott, PPG Aerospace global sales director for commercial original-equipment transparencies.

"Boeing has asked for an alternate approach to bird-strike performance for the windshields that works structurally with the 737 airframe," Scott says. "Adding an anti-spall liner to the windshields for Next-Generation 737 airplanes enables Boeing to keep the structural airframe design while incorporating newer technology."

PPG will be the sole source of the redesigned windshields for production and aftermarket applications, according to yesterday's statement.

Scott said PPG expects certification of the new-design windshields in the second quarter 2010. The windshields will be designed and manufactured at PPG's Huntsville, Ala., facility for delivery to Wichita, Kan., where Spirit makes the fuselage for Boeing.

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