British Aerospace Regional Aircraft is considering an unsolicited proposal from Pratt & Whitney Canada to power the improved Avro RJ-X now under study. P&WC's offer of the PW308 to power the four-jet aircraft came after negotiations had begun with incumbent engine supplier AlliedSignal to power the RJ-X with its new AS907 turbofan.
An engine decision is expected within two months and is key to the RJ-X upgrade, which is intended to reduce the operating costs of the aircraft to keep it competitive with other 70/120-seat regional jets. A decision to proceed will depend on whether the market prospects for the improved aircraft justify its modest development cost, says senior vice-president Jeff Marsh.
"We are only looking at improvements that are self-sustaining and will pay back in a relatively short time," he says. An empty weight reduction of 900kg, through the use of composites, and a fuel consumption reduction of 15%, through re-engineing and aerodynamic improvements, will combine to allow lower take-off weights - and therefore lower user charges in European operations. Direct maintenance costs will be reduced by 20%, BAe says.
AlliedSignal says that a go-ahead for the RJ-X would be sufficient to launch the AS907 programme. The engine is also being considered for new Bombardier and Cessna mid-size business jets which could be launched later this year. Although it has yet to launch the AS907, which Marsh describes as the baseline engine on the RJ-X, AlliedSignal says it is already committed to meeting BAe's first quarter 2001 in-service target.
The intent is to introduce the improved RJ-X at about the same price as today's RJ, Marsh says.
Source: Flight International
