Prestwick, Scotland, BAE Systems has signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation of Japan to provide design integration and certification services in connection with the propulsion systems for the next-generation Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft.

A team from BAE Systems’ Regional Aircraft business at Prestwick in Scotland will provide engineering expertise on a number of work packages for the aircraft which include powerplant, pylon, nacelle, auxiliary power units and fuel systems.

The MRJ aircraft, a 70-90-seat family of twin-engined regional jets, will be powered by Pratt and Whitney PurePower® PW1000G engines. First flight is scheduled for 2012, with entry into service planned for 2014. Current customers for the MRJ are All Nippon Airways and Trans States Holdings of the USA.

In addition to the specialist team located at Prestwick, BAE Systems also has liaison support personnel located at the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation headquarters at Nagoya, Japan, and at Pratt and Whitney’s facility in Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

Alan Fraser, Managing Director of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, welcomed the new contract and said:

“For a number of years we have been in discussion with Mitsubishi and I am delighted that we now have an opportunity to contribute to this ground-breaking programme. I believe we have a strong track record of experience and expertise and the award of this contract demonstrates the trust that Mitsubishi has in our people. This will allow us to build upon our existing capabilities and leverage them on to the next generation of aircraft. We hope this will be a first step in a developing relationship with Mitsubishi for the MRJ.”

Mr Yukihiko Nakata , Vice President System Design of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation added:

“We would like to have a strong and firm position in the future regional jet market by taking advantage of their wide experience and knowledge and we expect their further cooperation continuously.”

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft provides its customers with managed solutions for aircraft portfolios, fleet support and engineering. In addition to a trading portfolio of over 200 aircraft, a proven track record in aircraft remarketing and lease management services and a broad base of aircraft support solutions, Regional Aircraft also provides engineering expertise for both commercial aircraft and defence platforms.

Source: BAE