USAF designation: AL-1A

TYPE: Four-jet freighter

PROGRAMME: Initial order 13 September 1989; rolled out 8 March 1993; first flight (N6005C) 4 May 1993; FAA certification 22 October 1993; JAR certification followed; first delivery (Cargolux) 17 November 1993. During 2000, Boeing began design of a freighter conversion of passenger 747-400S as an eventual partner to the first 747-300F conversion, begun in that year. However, this would differ from new-production -400F in several respects.

CURRENT VERSIONS: 747-400F: As described.
747-400ERF: Freighter version of 747-400ER, described in previous entry; first order placed 30 April 2001. Deliveries to Air France (two), ILFC (three) and KLM (three, beginning 31 March 2003). Others for undisclosed customer(s).
Differences from 747-400ER include 302,090 kg (666,000 lb) max landing weight; 277,145 kg (611,000 lb) zero-fuel weight; 164,380 kg (362,4001b) empty operating weight; 112,765 kg (248,600 lb) structural max payload; 530 m³ (18,720 cu ft) containerised volume on main deck; 159 m³ (5,600 cu ft) lower deck containerised volume and 14.7 m³ (520 cu ft) bulk cargo volume. Usable fuel is 203,523 litres (53,765 US gallons; 44,769 Imp gallons) for GE-engined version and 204,355 litres (53,985 US gallons; 44,952 Imp gallons) for P&W and R-R-engined versions.
747-400XF: Variant of projected 747-400X QLR, now replaced by 747F Advanced.
747F Advanced: Counterpart of 747 Advanced, announced mid-2003, for possible service entry in 2009. Shorter upper deck (as -400F) and other Advanced features, but forward plug of 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in), giving length overall of 75.74 m (248 ft 6 in). Weight empty 182,800 kg (403,000 lb), max T-O 332,940 kg (734,000 lb), zero-fuel 314,790 kg (694,000 lb), max structural payload 132,000 kg (291,000 lb). Fuel capacity 204,366 litres (53,988 US gallons; 44,954 Imp gallons).
AL-1A: Anti-missile defence aircraft. Described separately.

CUSTOMERS: First 747-400F delivered to Cargolux 17 November 1993; total of 34 delivered by October 1999. Production of 16 envisaged in 2000. Recent customers include China Airlines, which ordered 13 on 11 August 1999, for delivery between 2000 and 2007 (first on 6 July 2000); EVA Air, three for delivery from 2000 (first on 20 July); and Cathay Pacific Airways, which ordered two in October 1999 (first delivered on 12 September 2000), subsequently increasing its order to five.

COSTS: List price US$187.5 million to US$214.5 million (2002 and 2003).

DESIGN FEATURES: 747-200F fuselage (short upper deck) with additional changes combined with stronger and larger 747-400 wing; strengthened floor of short upper deck, as offered for -200F, also integrated into 747-400F; further developed freight handling system; total cargo volume 777.8 m³ (27,467 cu ft), of which 604.5 m³ (21,347 cu ft) on main deck, 158.6 m³ (5,600 cu ft) in lower hold and 48.3 m³ (520 cu ft) available for bulk cargo. Compared to -200F, empty weight saving of 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) has raised maximum revenue freight load to about 113,000 kg (249,125 lb), at which range is 4,400 n miles (8,149 km; 5,063 miles); fuel consumption more than 15 per cent lower than 747-200F. Same gross weights as passenger 747-400; maximum landing weight at optional T-O weight, 302,090 kg (666,000 lb); maximum zero-fuel weight, 276,690 kg (610,000 lb), can be increased on condition T-O weight is decreased.

ACCOMMODATION: Two-pilot crew, as 747-400. Upward-opening nose cargo door and optional port-side rear cargo door; underfloor cargo doors fore and aft of wing and bulk cargo door aft of rear underfloor door; two crew doors to port. Capacity for 30 pallets on main deck and 32 LD-1 containers plus bulk cargo under floor.