Mitsubishi Chooses Pratt & Whitney Engine for Carbon Fiber Regional Jet

Mitsubishi Heavy will use a Pratt & Whitney engine for its small 70-90 Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) passenger jet.

Losers are General Electric Co.'s GE Aviation unit and Rolls-Royce PLC.

Japan is funding its first domestically manufactured passenger aircraft since the YS-11 turboprop plane ended production in 1973.

The new jet is set for launch in 2012 or sooner and will consume 20% less fuel because it will be made of lightweight carbon fiber composite.

Demand for smaller regional jets (60-100 seats) is expected to rise over the next 20 years.

Competitors are mid-sized jet makers Bombardier Inc. of Canada and Brazil's Embraer SA. 

Do you think Japan can make airplanes the way they make cars?

See also:

Toray Plans to Mass-Produce Carbon Fiber Autoparts