Saab and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MJET) have signed an agreement under which Saab will provide technical publication documentation work to MJET in support of their Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) programme.

The framework agreement is a strategically important achievement for Saab. It opens the path for further discussion between the companies to supply and apply Saab´s extensive expertise in the area of commercial aircraft support solutions, gained from the Saab 340 and 2000 programmes as well as various military programmes, to MJET and their new MRJ aircraft. The Mitsubishi Regional Jet is a family of 70- to 90-seat next-generation regional jets.

A first support contract has been signed within the frame of the agreement. On request of the customer the order value will not be announced.

“We have had on-going discussions with Mitsubishi since 2003 when they were first considering entering the regional jet market and had concluded that they needed a partner for support and services outside Japan”, states Saab Aerotech President Lars-Erik Wige. “This agreement and the first specific contract to result from it are a positive step forward in the cooperation between our two companies. Mitsubishi is developing a ground breaking aircraft in the MRJ and Saab is proud to work with them in their effort to provide equally ground breaking levels of customer support.”

“At MJET, as we undertake the implementation of customer support related to the MRJ, we are pleased to have Saab, with its many years of experience in this area, as a partner to help us in developing some parts of our technical manuals in the field of customer support. This is one big step forward in MJET´s drive to provide top-notch service to our valued customers,” said MJET President Hideo Egawa.

The initial contract signed covers the area of technical publications development during the years 2010-2015. Under this contract, Saab will develop a comprehensive package of maintenance and support documentation for both the MRJ70 as well as for the MRJ90 aircraft including, for example, maintenance manuals as well as spare parts catalogues. The technical publications will be developed to the new S1000D 4.0 standard. Discussions continue between the two companies to finalize additional areas of cooperation.

MJET has announced MRJ orders for 25 aircraft to All Nippon Airways, Japan (15 firm and 10 options) and a Letter of Intent to provide 100 aircraft to Trans States Holdings Inc., USA (50 firm and 50 options). The Aircraft is under development in Nagoya Japan and the first flight expected to take place second quarter 2012. The aircraft will enter into service during the first quarter of 2014.

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MJET) commenced operation on April 1, 2008 to conduct the design, type certification, procurement, sales and marketing, and customer support of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ). It is currently capitalized at 100 billion yen, with this financing being furnished by, among others, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.