Mistubishi MRJ

Production of parts for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) could start this month, as Mitsubishi Aircraft enters the production drawing phase for the new jet.

The design review for the aircraft was completed last week, says a Mitsubishi spokesman.

"We are proceeding with the production drawing phase, which will include more detailed designing of the parts. The first production could start this month," he adds.

Development of the MRJ is on track, says Mitsubishi. The 90-seater aircraft's first flight is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012, with first delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways in the first quarter of 2014.

ANA has placed a firm order for 15 aircraft with 10 options. Besides the Japanese airline, American regional carrier Trans State Holdings has signed a letter of intent for 50 firm orders and 50 options.

Production of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) has started today, with the first metal cut for the aircraft's horizontal stabiliser by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

The manufacturing work kicked off at a ceremony at MHI's Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works, where aluminium material was cut for the horizontal stabiliser's frame component, says Mitsubishi Aircraft (MJET).

"Following MHI's lead, project partners will now launch manufacturing of the various components they are responsible for, based on the production drawings," it adds.

"The start of the MRJ's production indicates that development of the aircraft's production drawings is progressing after detailed design review this summer."

MJET completed the design review of the MRJ earlier this month. The 90-seater aircraft's first flight is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012, with first delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) in the first quarter of 2014.

MHI is manufacturing the MRJ's major components, including the fuselage, wing, empennage and core system. It is also responsible for the final assembly and equipment installation of the aircraft.

"Going forward, MHI and MJET continue to devote their utmost efforts to make the MRJ project a success, aiming to play a significant role in the ongoing development of the global aviation industry," says MJET.

ANA has placed a firm order for 15 aircraft with 10 options. Besides the Japanese airline, American regional carrier Trans State Holdings has signed a letter of intent for 50 firm orders and 50 options.

St. Louis-based Trans States Holdings (TSH) signed a firm order for 50 Mitsubishi Regional Jets and secured options on another 50, Mitsubishi Aircraft announced today during a ceremony held in Nagoya, Japan. The sides finalized and executed the so-called definitive purchase agreement on December 27, almost 15 months after Trans States Airlines TSA signed a letter of intent to become the first U.S. customer for the 76- to 88-seat family of regional jets.


“We have been very excited about the MRJ program for a long time, and we are extremely pleased to conclude this major order on December 27 last year reaffirming the 100 aircraft commitment we made with our LOI,” said TSH president Rick Leach during today’s ceremony in Nagoya. “Since that launch order, we have learned a lot about the quality of the Mitsubishi Aircraft team and the quality of the MRJ aircraft. Both have given us great confidence. In addition, many good things have happened with the MRJ itself. Mitsubishi Aircraft has entered the production drawing phase for the MRJ and continues to proceed with the manufacturing process.”

Accompanied by Mitsubishi Aircraft president Hideo Egawa, Leach also visited the Mitsubishi Heavy Industry’s Tobishima Plant, where the project’s various partners expect final assembly of the MRJ to start soon.

The start of MRJ production–marked by the cutting of the first metal by MHI on September 30–signaled the successful conclusion of last summer’s detailed design review, during which MHI froze the final configuration of the 88-seat MRJ90 and reached conclusions about the changes needed for the 76-seat MRJ70 and the still unlaunched 100-seat MRJ100X. Following MHI’s lead, project partners launched manufacturing of the various components for which they have taken responsibility, based on production drawings now in process.

Plans call for the MRJ90 to fly for the first time in 2012, gain Japanese certification in late 2013 and enter airline service during the first quarter of 2014. The MRJ70 would likely gain certification approximately a year later. The MRJ100X remains in the preliminary design phase. Still lacking a customer, that airplane likely won’t reach the market until 2016 or 2017, depending on when the company decides to launch the program.

Meanwhile, BAE Systems last year signed a multi-year agreement with Mitsubishi Aircraft under which it will initially provide engineering development and integration services related to flight-test equipment and systems for the Pratt & Whitney PW1200G-powered aircraft. The contract complements another deal under which a team from BAE Systems’ Regional Aircraft business at Prestwick, Scotland, supports engineering on a number of work packages, including the powerplant, pylon, nacelle, auxiliary power units and fuel systems.

With the TSA order, Mitsubishi Aircraft has collected firm orders for 65 airplanes, including fifteen 88-seat MRJ90s from launch customer All Nippon Airways, which also holds options on another 10.

Mitsubishi Aircraft is likely to start work on the 100-seat variant of its MRJ business jet only after the smaller types have had their first flight.
The MRJ 90 is scheduled to have its first flight in mid-2012, while the MRJ 70 will take to the skies around a year later. All Nippon Airways, the MRJ's launch customer, has ordered 15 MRJ 90s while US regional carrier Trans States Airlines (TSA) has bought 50 that will include a combination of both variants.
"We keep studying the MRJ 100X, a stretched version of the MRJ 90. Our engineers are busy developing the MRJ 70 and MRJ 90 now, as that is what the market wants," says Hitoshi Iwasa, vice-president for sales and marketing. "Airlines in Europe, Latin America and Asia have been talking to us about the MRJ 100X, we are listening to their opinion all the time. It depends on the customers' needs, but there's more demand for the other variants and those will go ahead first."
TSA signed a definitive agreement, which includes 50 options, in December, and that is helping to drum up interest in an aircraft that Mitsubishi believes will revolutionise the regional jet market. "The MRJ is still a paper plane, and the TSA order creates more interest - its competitors want to know how to respond and they talk to us. After the first flight next year, there will be more," says Iwasa.

Assembly of the Mitsubishi MRJ regional jet started on 5 April, with riveting work starting at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
MHI started riveting work on the frame structure around the emergency escape hatch for crew in the aircraft's cockpit roof, says Mitsubishi Aircraft.
"[The] start of assembly work indicates that the MRJ project to develop Japan's first passenger jet is progressing steadily and firmly as scheduled," it adds.

© Mitsubishi Aircraft

The MRJ 90 is scheduled to make its first flight in the second quarter of 2012, with first delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways in the first quarter of 2014. The MRJ 70 variant will have its first flight in 2013.
Production of individual aircraft parts of the MRJ began last autumn.
MHI, which is responsible for manufacturing major parts of the MRJ including the fuselage, wings and empennage, will also take charge of the Pratt & Whitney PW1217G-powered aircraft's final assembly.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Aircraft has set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Amsterdam to act as the sales base for the MRJ in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The new subsidiary will begin operations on 1 May, says Mitsubishi Aircraft.
"Europe is the second largest market for regional jet aircraft, following the United States. The new regional sales base allows Mitsubishi Aircraft to conduct on-the-ground sales activities to customers without any time differences," it adds.
The subsidiary will also cover the Middle Eastern and African markets.
"We have many potential customers showing strong interest in the MRJ in the European region. We expect establishing this new sales office will greatly enhance our presence in the region, resulting in new orders," says Mitsubishi Aircraft president Hideo Egawa.
Mitsubishi Aircraft says it expects a total market for 5,000 regional jets in the next 20 years, with 30% of this coming from Europe.
So far Mitsubishi has orders for 65 MRJs, with All Nippon Airways taking 15 MRJ 90s and US regional carrier Trans States Airlines 50, a mixture of both variants.

Mitsubishi is acknowledging growing pressure to make a commitment to producing a 100-seat jet to join its MRJ90 and MRJ70 family of aircraft.
Asked by ATI and Flightglobal during the RAA annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee if the company would accelerate development of larger aircraft, Mitsubishi Aircraft executive vice-president Junichi Miyakawa stated: "We do have a lot of pressure [over the 100-seater]. European customers like the MRJ100X."
Miyakawa also acknowledged the "famous guy" recently making comments about Mitsubishi needing to produce a 100-seat aircraft to become a viable airframe competitor. He was referring to an assessment given by Air Lease CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy during the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading conference in March of this year. Miyakawa said he welcomed Hazy's comments.
Mitsubishi is talking to several potential customers about the MRJ100X but Miyakawa stated adding one more type of aircraft to the current offerings is a "big decision" requiring board authorisation.
However, he stressed he would do his best to make a 100-seat offering happen. "We need that."
Miyakawa estimated 90% commonality between the MRJ70/90 and the MRJ100X.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries began assembly work on the MRJ90 in April ahead of first flight next year. First delivery to All Nippon Airways is scheduled for 2014.

Mitsubishi Aircraft has signed an MOU with ANI Group Holdings for five Mitsubishi Regional jets as the Japanese firm heads to Paris to showcase the 70-90-seat regional jet.

ANI is a Hong Kong-based aircraft lease and maintenance company that serves five Indonesian airlines.

When completed, the order will bring the MRJ’s firm order to 70 aircraft, including 15 from launch customer All Nippon Airways and 50 from Trans States Holdings. There are 60 total options.

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Selects Boeing to Provide World-Class Customer Support and Services

LE BOURGET, France, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation and Boeing (NYSE:BA - News) announced a partnership today at the Paris Air Show for Boeing to provide customer support services for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) family of regional commercial jets.

"We are pleased to announce we have concluded an agreement with Boeing for MRJ customer support as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet sets the new standard for next- generation regional jets truly suited for the 21st century," said Hideo Egawa, president, Mitsubishi Aircraft. "With this agreement, Mitsubishi Aircraft will be able to deliver profit-enhancing support and a competitive boost to our customers. We are confident that this agreement will further strengthen the relationship between our two companies."

Boeing Commercial Aviation Services will provide Mitsubishi Aircraft with 24/7 customer support including spare parts provisioning, service operations and field services. It will allow Mitsubishi to focus on launching its business as it works with Boeing to create a world-class services operation that Mitsubishi may bring in house in the future.

"We are honored to assist Mitsubishi Aircraft as they establish their own customer support and services," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Our goal is to support Mitsubishi Aircraft in maximizing the lifetime value of their fleets and operations – we know from experience that this will give them a competitive edge in their market."

Boeing will also deploy the latest technology to tailor a service and maintenance web portal for Mitsubishi Aircraft. With a user-friendly interface, the portal will bring together the applications and data needed to detect and predict service, maintenance and repair needs.

The portal will be modeled on Boeing's customer web portal, MyBoeingFleet.com, and will support an Airplane Health Management System to monitor, collect and analyze real-time, "smart" airplane data, allowing MRJ operators to make maintenance decisions that minimize their aircraft's time on the ground.

Boeing and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Mitsubishi Aircraft's parent company, have a longstanding relationship for commercial and defense production.