Japan to home-grow new jet
It is said that a country's aviation industry is not complete unless it can produce its own aircraft -- hence the importance of "home-grown" jets. I have to add here that that is the most blah term given to a domestically manufactured plane that strengthens the nation's economy and technological prowess, but hey who am I to make judgment? Japan announced today that it would have its first home-grown passenger aircraft ready by 2013 and has a $1 billion plan in place. The 70-90 seater planes will be "grown" by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and will target the short/medium-haul regional market. According to AP: this will be the first nationally funded, "made in Japan" passenger aircraft in three decades.
Surprisingly, China beat Japan to it by unveiling their first home-grown jet in December last year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mar 28th 2008 @ 10:08PM
Ryan said...
I think Japan can make a good job buying their own aircraft, but I can see they importing aircrafts and competing with powerful aviation's industries as Boeing and Airbus. As well, flying out Japan.
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Mar 28th 2008 @ 10:50PM
sitruc said...
I don't understand how China beating Japan to this is surprising.
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Mar 28th 2008 @ 11:02PM
Kent Wien said...
I'm thrilled with the idea of some more competition in the airliner market, but 70-90 seats? What were they thinking? This is a market that is soon to be on life support. Airlines are begging Boeing and Airbus for a 150 seat airliner that's more efficient than the A320/737 options. Oh, how I wish Mitsubishi would rethink this.
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