July 28, 2025, (c) AIN: Boeing has officially begun series production of the 777-8 Freighter at its widebody factory in Everett, Washington. About 100 Boeing employees gathered inside the 777X Composite Spar Shop on July 21 to observe as a robotic arm ceremoniously drilled the first hole in a 777-8F wing spar.

It is the first of 938 holes that will be drilled into every wing spar assembled at that location, explained Ben Linder, vice president and chief engineer for Boeing’s 777 and 777-8F programs. Drilling all 938 holes with the automated robot arm, which Boeing calls the Spar Assembly Robotic Cell (SPAC), will take five eight-hour shifts, he told reporters at the Everett facility.

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