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BAE Systems Signs Flight Test Agreement for Mitsubishi Regional Jet - First flight is scheduled for 2012, with entry into service planned for 2014. Current customers for the MRJ are All Nippon Airways and Trans States Holdings of the USA.

Barcelona, Spain, 23 September 2010 -- BAE Systems announced today at the European Regions Airlines Association Annual General Assembly in Barcelona that it has signed a new multi-year Agreement with Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation of Japan under which it initially will provide engineering development and integration services related to flight test equipment and systems for the next-generation Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft.

This new contract builds upon an existing contract under which a team from BAE Systems' Regional Aircraft business at Prestwick in Scotland is providing engineering expertise on a number of work packages for the aircraft which include powerplant, pylon, nacelle, auxiliary power units and fuel systems.

Supporting this existing contract BAE Systems has liaison support personnel located at the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation headquarters at Nagoya, Japan, at Pratt and Whitney's facility in Hartford, Connecticut, USA and at LMI Aerospace's facility in San Diego, California, USA.

The MRJ aircraft, a 70-90-seat family of twin-engined regional jets, will be powered by Pratt and Whitney PurePower® PW1000G engines. First flight is scheduled for 2012, with entry into service planned for 2014. Current customers for the MRJ are All Nippon Airways and Trans States Holdings of the USA.

Alan Fraser, Managing Director of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, welcomed this new contract and said:

"We are delighted to build upon our initial engineering contract with Mitsubishi with this new contract which we hope will broaden our relationship with the customer and allow us to contribute further to the MRJ programme. A follow on contract is always a good sign of a developing business relationship and the building of trust. We have a strong track record of experience and expertise which allows us to build upon our existing capabilities and leverage them on to the next generation of aircraft."

Mr. Shoji Amano, Vice President Supply Chain Management of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation added: "We are aiming to have a strong and firm position in the future regional jet market and are pleased to work with BAE Systems to take advantage of their wide experience and knowledge in this area. We look forward to further co-operation with BAE Systems to help achieve our goals."

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft provides its customers with managed solutions for aircraft portfolios, fleet support and engineering. In addition to a trading portfolio of over 200 aircraft, a proven track record in aircraft remarketing and lease management services and a broad base of aircraft support solutions, Regional Aircraft also provides engineering expertise for both commercial aircraft and defence platforms.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

For more information contact:

David Dorman
BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 488336
Fax: +44 (0) 1582 488447
Email: david@dorwaypr.co.uk

BAE Systems
Farnborough
Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605
Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739

Submitted by: LogisticsWorld
news@logisticsworld.com, 10/3/2010 3:50:42 AM

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