Dreamliner: Inside the World's Most Anticipated Airplane

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Boeing, one of the crown jewels of the American economy, is unveiling the long awaited 787 Dreamliner, a daring and controversial new plane that carries an incredible profit potential.

The Dreamliner promises cutting edge features, comfort and industry-leading fuel economy. If it lives up to its expectations, the plane could revolutionize the airline industry and earn Boeing billions of dollars in the process.

Boeing is a legendary manufacturer of some of the highest profile and most consequential aircraft in history, from the B-17 of World War II, to the immensely successful 747 jumbo jet, to the most popular airliner ever, the 737. But this quintessential American company may be facing its most challenging moment. Will Boeing’s big bet pay off? The long awaited Dreamliner comes after nearly a decade of development, billions of dollars in overruns and three years of agonizing delays. The criticism has stung and given investors reason to question Boeing’s economic health.

Against this backdrop, CNBC’s Phil LeBeau will take viewers inside Boeing to see whether this enormously important American company, and one of the nation's largest employers, can rise to the challenge of a rapidly changing global aviation market.

Building a Dream
Building a 787 Dreamliner is a well-choreographed ballet of man and machine where the plane’s seven major sections are hoisted and fastened together. CNBC cameras spent almost 24 hours watching Dreamliner #41 come true.

Building the 787 Dreamliner

Airline Innovation
The Dreamliner is built with an innovative carbon fiber composite, a material that includes plastic. It’s four times stronger and 40 % lighter than traditional aircraft aluminum. As a result , Boeing promises the 787 will use 20% less fuel than comparable planes.

Inside the Dreamliner
Boeing believes the Dreamliner will radically change what we expect in a commercial airplane. For passengers , it offers vaulted ceilings, bigger windows and larger overhead compartments. For pilots, the 787 features a state-of-the-art flight deck.

Go inside the 787 Dreamliner

Boeing's Future
The 787 is a crucial part of Boeing’s future, but other programs remain vital to the company’s success. Can it market an updated version of the 737 and continue the 747 as a source of revenue? Each decision dealing with multi-billion dollar aircraft programs has the potential to enrich the company, or shake it to the core.

Boeing's McNerney on building the Dreamliner

CNBC's Phil LeBeau talks with W. James McNerney, Boeing's Chairman, President and CEO, about the company's decision to outsource design and production of the 787 Dreamliner.

ScanEagle Success

Charlie Guthrie, Insitu's Senior VP of Advanced Programs and Engineering and Chief Technology Officer, discusses the key to the success of the ScanEagle, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).