I am disappointed, but not entirely surprised, by BAE Systems' decision to terminate development and production of the Avro RJX regional jet. Leaving aside short-term considerations, the decision does not make sense. One only has to consider the following:

the large regional jet market is forecast to be the fastest growing segment of commercial aerospace; in terms of replacement market alone, the RJX can benefit from an installed base of almost 400 aircraft with more than 50 operators; Avro RJs have unique selling points such as short take-off and landing capability and the widest cabin in their class; BAE has 28 orders and options for the aircraft, enough to see them through the short-term blip in demand.

There is a feeling of déjà vu. The UK's loss of nerve when faced with short-term cyclical crises has meant that it has lost out on rich pickings in the commercial aerospace sector. I cite the BEA decision to shorten the Trident and the Airbus A300B/BAC Three-Eleven saga in 1969-70. The latter saw Britain forego leadership in the development and production of large commercial aircraft in favour of France.

With the demise of the Avro RJX, the UK has now the dubious distinction of being the only country among the leading aerospace nations not involved in transport aircraft development and production. This situation has serious implications in terms of loss of know-how in airliner cockpit technology, systems integration, flight testing expertise etc.

The country that once led the world in jet and turboprop aircraft development is now playing second/third fiddle to France and Germany in Airbus, providing components for a family of aircraft assembled and flight-tested elsewhere. For the stewards of a legacy that includes Comet, Viscount, Britannia, VC10, Trident, One-Eleven and Concorde, this is a disgraceful record.

Graziano Freschi MRAes

Twickenham, UK

Source: Flight International

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