Aircraft

Pratt & Whitney is hoping to offer a geared turbofan (GTF) engine for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' new regional jet.

MHI presented a full-scale cabin mock-up for its proposed 70- to 90-seat Mitsubishi Regional Jet during the Paris air show. It is aiming to launch the all-composite airframed jet programme next year, with certification taking place as early as 2012.

The new regional jet will be powered with an engine in the 13,000-14,900lb-thrust (58-66kN) range. MHI has signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce and is in talks with General Electric.

"We are working with Mitsubishi and they will make an engine selection some time this year," P&W next-generation product family vice-president Robert Saia says. "We are preparing ourselves to be ready for that."

He adds that the GTF is designed for conventional wing mounting, which fits with the MRJ's design. The engine manufacturer is aiming to have its GTF technology available for the regional jet market by 2012, fitting with MHI's planned timeline.