Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has announced a milestone achievement in its passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion programme. In a recent trial, the company successfully loaded a Trent 1000 engine, used on Boeing 787 aircraft, into the main deck of an IAI B777-300ERSF cargo aircraft.
IAI is the first in the world to convert the Boeing 777-300ER into a freighter, offering a 100-tonne payload and increased cargo volume. During the trial, the Trent 1000 engine was manoeuvred through the Main Deck Cargo Door and positioned with precision using the “Collins” Powered Cargo Loading System (CLS).
This capability expands the range of cargo the aircraft can carry, enabling transportation of multiple engine types, including the GE90, Trent 700 and Trent 1000, along with other oversized freight.
Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, highlighted the strategic value of the achievement:
“We are proud of the successful trial results, which demonstrate IAI’s innovative technological capabilities. This exemplifies how the B777-300ERSF aircraft will offer customers an outstanding airborne transportation solution. We thank the exceptional personnel in IAI’s Aviation Group for a successful trial that meets the future requirements of the global passenger-to-freight conversion market.”
Yaacov Berkovitz, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, added:
“This successful trial is a significant achievement in the ongoing capability enhancements offered as part of the B777-300ER wide-body passenger aircraft to cargo conversion. We are proud to offer our customers the most advanced and innovative solutions that are the best-in-class in the air cargo transportation market on a global scale.”
With this development, IAI reinforces its position as a leader in the global air cargo conversion sector, delivering solutions that meet the evolving demands of the industry.