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Global competition between regional aircraft manufacturers heated up on Nov. 11, when the prototype Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) completed its 90-minute first flight from Nagoya Airfield in central Japan.
The MRJ is the first Japanese commercial passenger jet and the first Japanese aircraft developed for regional airline routes since production of the twin-engine NAMC YS11 turboprop ended in 1974.
Launched in 2008, the MRJ was developed as a direct challenger to Bombardier and Embraer’s offerings in the 70 to 90-seat market.
Mitsubishi is a commercial aerospace powerhouse even though its name doesn’t appear on any airline schedules today. Mitsubishi Photo
The first flight was made by a 109.6-foot long MRJ70, but all 223 firm orders (plus 184 options) have been for the longer 117.4-foot MRJ90, which will accommodate 92-seats in a four abreast, two-plus-two configuration.
“The MRJ successfully took to the sky today, thanks to ongoing cooperation and support from all members involved,” said Hiromichi Morimoto, president of Mitsubishi Aircraft
Corporation. “We will make our utmost efforts towards type certificate acquisition, committing all our resources to develop and produce the finest regional jet aircraft to enter commercial service in 2017.”
Mitsubishi is a commercial aerospace powerhouse even though its name doesn’t appear on any airline schedules today.
The Japanese manufacturer builds major aircraft components for Boeing and Bombardier, including fuselage sections for the 767 and 777 and wings for the Challenger 300 and Global Express.
The Japanese manufacturer builds major aircraft components for Boeing and Bombardier, including fuselage sections for the 767 and 777 and wings for the Challenger 300 and Global Express. Mitsubishi Photo
In 2008, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation was formed to develop the new 70-seat MRJ70 and 90-seat MRJ90 regional jets, with Toyota as a 30 per cent shareholder. The new jet is the first clean sheet aircraft in its segment to fly with the Pratt & Whitney PurePower geared turbofan engine.
Mitsubishi claims that the MRJ will have the lowest operating costs in the 70 to 90-seat class, thanks to its advanced aerodynamics and fuel efficient, low maintenance engines.
The MRJ was originally scheduled to make its first flight in the fourth quarter of 2013, but the date slipped two years. The MRJ is now expected to enter airline service in 2017.
Development of the MRJ70 will follow the MRJ90, which could be followed by the MRJ100X, a 100-seat jet still at the concept stage. Mitsubishi Photo
Certification flight tests will take place in Japan, and later in the U.S. at Mitsubishi’s new test facility at Grant County International Airport at Moses Lake in Washington State.
All Nippon Airways placed the first order for 15 MRJ90s in 2008. In 2011, Trans States Airlines of St. Louis, Mo., confirmed its order for 50 MRJ90s (and 50 options). In December 2012, Skywest Airlines, the world’s largest regional airline, finalized an order for 100 Mitsubishi MRJ90s (with 100 options).
Other firm customers include Eastern Air Lines (20), Air Mandalay (6) and Japan Airlines (32).
Development of the MRJ70 will follow the MRJ90, which could be followed by the MRJ100X, a 100-seat jet still at the concept stage.
The MRJ is the first Japanese commercial passenger jet and the first Japanese aircraft developed for regional airline routes since production of the twin-engine NAMC YS11 turboprop ended in 1974. Mitsubishi Photo
