Mitsubishi Heavy Industries axes SpaceJet programme
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has ended its SpaceJet programme, which was intended to bring a new regional jet to market.
The paused SpaceJet M90 development activities have been discontinued, MHI said, blaming “insufficient initial understanding of highly complex type certification process for commercial aircraft” and “insufficient resources to continue long-term development”.
The type achieved over 3,900 hours of flight tests with no safety issues.
In a statement, the company said: “Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announces the discontinuation of SpaceJet development activities, which had been pursued by Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, a consolidated MHI Group company.”
Going forward, MHI said it planned to continue its OEM business with the CRJ Program, deepen partnerships with global OEMs, consider next-generation technologies with an eye towards aircraft development programmes, and apply knowledge and experience to its F-X (next-generation fighter) programme.
Years in development
MHI Group officially launched the programme in 2008, with the M100 type introduced at the 2019 Paris Air Show. The type was due to have a new engine and advanced aerodynamics.
The SpaceJet family of aircraft was intended to address demand in the regional jet market, and had achieved orders from Japanese and US customers.
That included a memorandum of understanding with Mesa Airlines for the purchase of 100 Mitsubishi Aircraft SpaceJet M100 aircraft.
