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Mitsubishi chooses AIDC as MRJ supplier
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has agreed to design and build the slats, flaps, belly fairings, rudders and elevators for Mit
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Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has agreed to design and build the slats, flaps, belly fairings, rudders and elevators for Mitsubishi Aircraft’s new regional jet series, the MRJ, the Japanese company announced today. Scheduled for certification by the end of 2013, the 86- to 96-seat MRJ90, and its 70- to 80-seat sibling, the MRJ70, would use wings and an empennage consisting largely of composites, a material with which Mitsubishi has gained valuable experience through its work on the Boeing 787. Meanwhile, AIDC brings to the partnership its own experience with the technology as the supplier of composite vertical trailing-edge panels for the Airbus A320 series.“With the participation of AIDC, we have just about assembled all of our primary partners required for the development and production of the MRJ,” said Mitsubishi Aircraft president Nobuo Toda. “With MHI, Mitsubishi Aircraft and our other first-class partners from around the world, the MRJ project has transitioned smoothly into the design and technical evaluation phase.”Other major suppliers include Pratt & Whitney (PW1000G engines), Parker Aerospace (hydraulics), Hamilton Sundstrand (electrical power and air management systems and APUs), Rockwell Collins (flight control computers and avionics), Nabtesco (flight control actuators), Sumitomo (landing gear) and Spirit AeroSystems (engine pylons).Last fall Mitsubishi also signed a support contract with Boeing to help with marketing, development and aftermarket activities.