Japan's Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) has completed a feasibility study on a potential new engine to power 50-seat regional jets.
IHI is ready to proceed with the second of three phases in the government-funded research and development project. "Some of the innovation seems feasible so we'd like to proceed with the idea in phase two," says IHI.
IHI says the new technology aims to decrease cost and increase efficiency by reducing parts count. The engine would only be built following a successful research and development phase that will not conclude until 2010.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is leading a government-funded study of an indigenous 30-seat regional jet. MHI says the feasibility phase is not yet completed.
Source: Flight International
