Mitsubishi Cutting MRJ Costs

Because of more than three years of development delays and a vigorous technological response by an established competitor, Mitsubishi Aircraft's (IW 1000/140) forthcoming MRJ may quickly lose much of its efficiency advantage.

First delivery for the MRJ program is now due in mid 2017, but by 2020 a heavily updated version of the most closely comparable Embraer (IW 1000/654) E Jet should go into service.

The Embraer 175-E2, as it is called, will reply not only by adopting the MRJ's engine; but it will also have improved avionics and, most notably, a new wing.

But it turns out that Mitsubishi Aircraft has another card up its sleeve. To find out the regional jet's secret, read the complete story, "Mitsubishi Uses Precision to Cut MRJ Costs" on Aviation Week.