Mitsubishi Aircraft rolled out the first MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) next-generation regional jet, during a ceremony at Mitsubishi H...
Mitsubishi Aircraft rolled out the first MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) next-generation regional jet, during a ceremony at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Komaki South final assembly plant in Nagoya on 18 October.
The MRJ will be the first Japanese jet powered passenger aircraft and also the first airliner to be built since the end of YS-11 turboprop production in 1973. The first flight test prototype was painted Mitsubishi's distinctive red, black and gold livery.
Powered by the newly-developed Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1200G Geared Turbofan engine, the 70-90 seat MRJ family will achieve significantly lower operating costs than current regional jets, along with state-of-the-art aerodynamics that reduce fuel consumption, noise, and carbon emissions.
MRJ's first flight is scheduled for the April-June quarter of 2015, with first delivery planned for 2017.
The MRJ test fleet will consist of seven test aircraft - five for flight tests and two for ground tests. In addition to flight tests in Japan, MRJ flight testing will also be conducted at the Grant County International Airport at Moses Lake, Washington in the United States. Currently the second and third flight test aircraft are also in final assembly.
The MRJ has secured 375 orders consisting 191 firm, 160 option, 24 purchase rights. In addition, Mitsubishi Aircraft has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Japan Airlines (JAL) for 32 aircraft.
