Boeing and Airbus are about to experience greater competition. According to a report by RT, Mitsubishi is placing the final touches on its new Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), which the Japanese company expects to sell to airlines as early as next year. While it’s unlikely that Mitsubishi will surpass Boeing and Airbus, analytics believe the two aerospace manufacturing giants could feel the effects of the new MRJ.
While most recognized as being an electronics manufacturer, Mitsubishi actually has an entire division dedicated to aerospace manufacturing: the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation. However, it hasn’t released a new jet in decades. Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation had originally planned to launch the MRJ in 2008 but was forced to postpone deliveries because of production challenges. But it appears the company has resolved its production challenges, as new reports suggest Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation will release the MRJ sometime in 2020.
So, what is the MRJ exactly? It’s a twin-engine jet with a seating capacity of about 70 to 90 passengers and a range of roughly 2,000 nautical miles.
The project has origins dating back to 2003 when the Japanese government invested approximately $420 million to fund the development of a new regional jet. In 2007, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation showcased a concept of the MRJ at the Paris Air Show. Fast forward to 2010, and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation officially began production of the MRJ. Since then, the Japanese aerospace manufacturing company has been working to build the MRJ so that it can fulfill customers’ orders (Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation has received orders for over 400 units thus far).
The MRJ features a new, more efficient turbofan engine built by Pratt & Whitney. According to Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, the new Pratt & Whitney turbofan engine requires less than half the number of airfoils as other turbofan engines on the market. In addition to a new engine, the MRJ also features an airframe made of both aluminum and composite materials. The combination of both these materials allows for a delicate balance between strength and a lightweight construction.
The MRJ took its maiden flight in November 2015, bringing attention to Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation’s new regional jet.
Neither Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation nor any other Japanese aerospace manufacturing company has released a new jet since the mid-20th century. After a half-century, though, Japan is preparing to pump out its first home-built jet, with Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation expected to begin delivery of the MRJ in 2020. The MRJ will be offered in two variants: the MRJ70 and the MRJ90. The former is expected to cost around $46 million, while the latter is expected to cost around $47 million.
