Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 46 No. 1 (Mar. 2009)33

Next-Generation Regional Jet:
Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ)M I T S U B I S H I A I R C R A F T C O R P O R AT I O N
S A L E S D E PA R T M E N T
 8 1 - 5 2 - 6 11 - 3 1 6 5

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) is the first domestic next-generation regional jet basedon the world-class cutting-edge technology that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has
developed over many years of experience in producing military and commercial aircraft. TheMRJ offers unprecedented value with its focus on the environment, passengers, and airlines.
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation commenced operation in April 2008 as a new company createdspecifically for the MRJ program. Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation is accelerating thedevelopment of the MRJ and further expanding sales to airlines of the world, positioning theMRJ as the new standard for next-generation regional jets.

|1. Development background
MHI started engineering development of the MRJ in 2003, and this resulted in theconfiguration and conceptual design for a 70–90 seat aircraft designed to achieve eco-friendly low
fuel consumption, low noise, and low operating costs. Discussions with domestic and foreign
airlines during the preliminary studies indicated excellent market potential for the MRJ. MHI
unveiled the Authorization to Offer on October 9, 2007 and officially commenced sales activities.
The world’s airlines have found the MRJ’s superb environmental performance quite attractive.
Upon receipt of an order from All Nippon Airways, MHI announced its program launch in March
2008 and formed Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation to implement the design, development, sales, andcustomer support. The MRJ’s first flight is scheduled for 2011 and the first delivery for 2013.

|2. Features
There are two versions of the MRJ, designed to meet a wide range of airline needs: theMRJ70 with 70 seats and the MRJ90 with 90 seats. As a regional jet, the MRJ is not designed forlong-haul intercontinental flights. It is, however, well-suited for regional networks with a range of
2,000–3,000 km. The MRJ has sufficient range to cover all of Europe, operating from Paris; all ofNorth America, operating from Chicago; and Shanghai, Hong Kong and all of Japan, operatingfrom Haneda. The MRJ has three main features: environmental design for low fuel consumption
and low noise, passenger comfort in a relaxing cabin, and airlines benefits of high reliability andlow operating costs.
(1) Environmental features
Eco-friendly aircraft are extremely important given the increased public environmentalconsciousness. It is anticipated that emissions regulations will become increasingly strict,
especially in Europe where environmental awareness is very high. Accordingly, the MRJ’slevels of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions are significantly lower than those ofcompetitors’ aircraft. Recognizing that aircraft noise has negative effects on society, the MRJ
noise level is 10 decibels less than that of its competitors, a great advantage for take-offs andlandings in airports.
(2) Passenger comfort—safe and outstandingly comfortable ride
A new slim and robust seat using a three-dimensional net fabric has been used to provide

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 46 No. 1 (Mar. 2009)34

enhanced passenger comfort. The prototype seat was exhibited at the Farnborough Air Showlast July and was well received by the world’s airlines. In addition, the MRJ has ample head
and foot clearance, and large overhead luggage bins to provide a comfortable and practicalcabin area for passengers.
(3) Airlines benefits—economical aircraft
Every airline wants economical aircraft with efficient engines and low air resistance.
With the world’s most advanced aerodynamic design and next-generation Pure PowerTM
PW1000G engines with low fuel consumption, the MRJ is a landmark aircraft in regional-classaircrafts, with 20% lower fuel consumption than its competitors.
Composite materials were used for the main wings and empennage to reduce airframe
weight and to lower the maintenance costs. The wing boxes of the Boeing 787 are made ofcomposite materials, and MHI Nagoya Aerospace Systems is in charge of their production.
However the MRJ is the first regional-class aircraft with composite wings. Since landing feesvary according to noise levels, the low-noise MRJ is very economical. For 2500 take-off andlanding cycles yearly, the annual savings will be on the order of tens of millions of yen.

|3. Development schedule
The conceptual design is now complete. Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation is working with itspartners on the detailed design, and many engineers from domestic and overseas companies arestationed at Nagoya. The detail design will be complete by fall 2009, at which time it will befrozen. The application for a type certificate (TC) was made to the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau(JCAB) of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism in October 2007, anddiscussions with the JCAB are currently underway. Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation will also applyto the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency, and isplanning to deliver the first aircraft in 2013 after obtaining the TC.

Figure 1 Vision and key features

Figure 2 MRJ Family and Range Capability