PPG Aerospace to redesign windshields for Boeing Next-Generation 737 airplanes

PPG Industries' (NYSE:PPG) aerospace transparencies business has been awarded a contract by Spirit AeroSystems to redesign the laminated glass windshields for Boeing's Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The windshields are being redesigned at Boeing's request to accommodate airframe improvements.

To meet Boeing specifications, the redesigned windshields will be slightly smaller than the current version and include an inboard plastic antispall 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 said. "Adding an antispall 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.

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.