Spirit to ramp up robotics to reduce 737 fuselage problems

Spirit AeroSystems will invest in autonomous technology to limit any defects in its production of Boeing 737 fuselages, its CEO said Tuesday after a series of manufacturing problems and last month's mid-air blowout on a 737 MAX 9. Boeing and Spirit, which builds the entire 737 fuselage, are under scrutiny from investors, regulators and lawmakers after a door plug detached from a MAX 9 in flight. There were no serious injuries, but the U.S. FAA has barred U.S. planemaker Boeing from lifting its production of the 737 MAX. The U.S. NTSB will release its preliminary report into the Jan. 5 incident later on Tuesday. Spirit, which was already under the microscope for a series of manufacturing snafus related to the 737 MAX, last week identified a new quality issue concerning misdrilled holes on 737 window frames, which could force it and Boeing to undertake additional work on about 50 aircraft. Interim CEO Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday that Spirit expects to have a repair plan identified within 72 hours. Spirit did not give a forecast for 2024, citing uncertainty on the timing of 737 MAX production increases and ongoing price negotiations with Airbus focused on the A220 program, which Shanahan said could conclude as early as this month.<br/>