Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has signed an agreement with Aerostructures of Nashville, Tennessee, to manufacture components for the Bell Agusta BA 609 civil tiltrotor aircraft.
Aerostructures is responsible for the aircraft's fuselage development. KHI says it will develop the cabin doors and fuselage tailcone under subcontract. KHI is the first Japanese manufacturer to participate in the programme, which will lead to the first civilian tiltrotor.
The aircraft will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67As, and will have a gross takeoff weight of 7.3t, carrying up to nine passengers.
US Federal Aviation Administration certification is targeted for mid-2002.
Source: Flight International
