BAE Systems - Avro RJ-70ER
The Avro RJ70 was an improved derivative of the BAe 146-100 Series, offered after the Avro RJ family was launch on 08 June 1992. The RJ70 was powered by a de-ratedthe improved Honeywell LF 507 turbofans rated at 27.27kN. Other improvements included an upgraded interior with a slightly wider passenger cabin and a digital flight deck and avionics suite. The first RJ70 was modified from a BAe 146-100 and flew for the first time prior to the official programme launch date on 23 July 1992. The initial RJ70 customer, Business Express of the United States took delivery of their first aircraft on 11 September 1993 and other RJ70 customers included Air Malta, National Jet Systems and Turkish Airlines. The RJ85 and are RJ100 were equivalent derivatives of the BAe 146 Series 200 and Series 300 respectively. In 1995 BAe became part of the AI(R) consortium alongside Franco-Italian manufacturer ATR and continued to market the Avro RJ family. AI(R) collapsed in 1997 but RJs continued to be marketed by BAe. Planned production of the type in Malaysia by Kazanah Nasional Berhad also fell through in 1997 and BAe elected to continue production on its own. In March 2000 BAE Systems announced the new RJX series a further derivative series to be powered by Honeywell AS977 turbofans. The first RJX, an 85 model f flew for the first time on 28 April 2001, and the company planned to market three versions, the RJX70, 85 and 100. However, on 27 November 2001, BAE Systems announced the cancellation of the entire RJX programme, citing the poor sales prospects for the type in the aftermath of the “9/11” attacks in the USA. When the last RJ off the Woodford production line was delivered to Air Botnia in November 2003, total Avro RJ production had reached 173, of which 12 were RJ70s.
