Boeing and FedEx Express say they will work together on the latest phase of the Boeing ecoDemonstrator programme. Starting in 2018, a new Boeing 777 Freighter made for FedEx Express will test emerging technologies, such as propulsion advancements and flight deck innovations.

The ecoDemonstrator program, now in its fifth iteration, serves as a series of flying testbeds designed to improve the environmental performance and safety of future airplanes.

This round of ecoDemonstrator testing includes installing a compact thrust reverser developed by Boeing designed to save fuel, flight deck improvements to support efficient operations in and out of busy airports, and flying prototype airplane parts using cutting-edge manufacturing techniques that reduce material waste.

Flight testing is scheduled to last approximately three months before the airplane returns to the FedEx fleet.

Previous phases of the ecoDemonstrator programme have tested more than 50 technologies, using a Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 (2012), a Boeing 787 (2014) a Boeing 757 (2015) and an Embraer E170 (2016) as flying testbeds.