Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation has announced another delay to its Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) passenger aircraft, the fourth since pr...
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation has announced another delay to its Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) passenger aircraft, the fourth since program launch in 2008.
The delay will change the maiden delivery schedule to Japanese ANA airline from the second quarter of 2017 to approximately one year later.
Mitsubishi said the first flight and the subsequent two flight tests have confirmed the basic characteristics to be satisfactory. However, several issues were identified during the engineering work with experts in the United States.
One of the major issue is with the aircraft's main wing, which has to be strengthened. Currently the wing is not capable to withstand the 50 percent more load than encountered during normal flight, required to achieve type certification.
Further upgrades are required to its wheels and landing gear, which has to be re-designed to improve safety. The flight control system needs more testing and requires an improved software.
The 70 to 90 seat MRJ is the first Japanese airliner designed after the YS-11 turboprop developed in the 1960s. Maiden flight was completed on Nov 11, from Nagoya, Japan.
Mitsubishi has received orders for more than 400 of the type, which is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW1200G geared turbofan engines.
