BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi aim to exceed 21% national share of 777 programme
Japan's three major aerospace companies are preparing a joint proposal to participate in the Boeing 7E7 programme and are lobbying for a larger workshare than they have in existing aircraft projects.
Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have begun meeting through the Japanese Aircraft Industries (JAI) association to discuss their potential role in the 7E7. Japanese industry officials say all three companies have also begun talks with Boeing as part of a competition the US company is holding among potential 7E7 suppliers.
JAI is seeking to better the 21% work share Japanese firms achieved in the 777. The companies also build a significant share of the 767. Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi representatives are meeting informally to determine which components each will pursue. By co-ordinating their effort through JAI, the companies hope to avoid competing against each other for any component.
JAI is instead focused on beating rival proposals from several European and US companies, including Alenia, AHF-Docommun, Fischer Advanced Composite Components, Fokker Services and GKN Aerospace Services.
Boeing plans to determine a work allocation later this year.
"I'm sure there will be a significant Asian presence," says Boeing 7E7 programme vice-president Mike Bair.
JAI also co-ordinated Japanese participation in the now-defunct Sonic Cruiser programme, including the signing of advanced technology and risk-sharing agreements. Japanese manufacturers have expressed willingness to be risk-sharing partners on the 7E7 and believe they can help Boeing meet its goal of improving per-seat fuel burn by 20% compared with the 777.
Japanese companies have seen their stake in Boeing programmes steadily increase from 15% in the 767 to 21% in the 777. Historically, Japanese carriers have chosen Boeing over Airbus by a ratio of roughly 4:1, and All Nippon Airways' order last month for about 45 737s could further bolster JAI's lobbying efforts.
Source: Flight International
