Andrew Mollett/TOKYO
Mitsubushi Heavy Industries (MHI) MH2000 twin-engine medium utility helicopter, Japan's first indigenously developed helicopter, has received type certification from the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau.
The certification covers the standard ten-seater version of the aircraft. MHI says that it intends to get type certification for its other three versions, a deluxe seven-seater, a high-density 12-seater and a search-and-rescue variant - "as soon as possible".
The type certificate had originally been expected to be issued in April. MHI will not comment on claims that the delay has been caused by problems with the helicopter's full-authority digital engine-control system.
The MH2000 is powered by two MHI MG5-100 turboshaft engines, each with maximum take-off power of 600kW (800shp). It is aimed to have a maximum cruise speed of 150kt (280km/h), with a maximum range of 780km (420nm) at an economical cruise speed of 135kt.
The engine comes from the same basic Mitsubishi NMG5 family as the XTS-10 military derivative installed in Kawasaki Heavy Industry's OH-X prototype.
MHI believes that it can sell 100 MH200s over the next ten years. The company says that the helicopter will have a price a tag of under ´400 million ($3.5million), "-making it 15-20% cheaper than its rivals - a vital concern for us, given the level of competition in the market", says MHI.
The company, which builds a version of the Sikorsky SH-60 under licence, will initially only target Japanese corporate, airline and government-agency operators, although as yet it has received no orders for the helicopter.
Source: Flight International