WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spirit AeroSystems
(NYSE: SPR) has been selected by Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation to design and
build the pylon for its new next-generation regional jetliner, known as the
Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ).
The contract award marks Spirit's entry into the regional jet market.
"Spirit is pleased to partner with Mitsubishi Aircraft in developing this
exciting new regional jet," said Mike King, Spirit senior vice president &
general manager - Propulsion Systems. "We're excited to show our new customer
and fellow team members the quality and capabilities that our employees
produce on a daily basis. We look forward to building a successful
relationship with Mitsubishi in this endeavor."
Pylon work will be done at Spirit's facility in Wichita, Kan. A pylon is a
large, highly specialized aerostructure that holds an aircraft's engine and
its casing to the wing. Spirit's Wichita location has decades of experience
building pylons for large commercial aircraft. It currently builds pylons for
every Boeing commercial airplane in production.
"Spirit's technology experience in the aircraft industry, combined with
Mitsubishi Aircraft's wide-ranging capabilities, offer great potential for
future success in the regional aircraft marketplace," said John Pilla, Spirit
senior vice president and chief technology officer.
"Mitsubishi selected Spirit to participate in this new venture because of
its long legacy as a world-class builder of commercial aircraft," said Nobuo
Toda, president of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. "We're confident our new
relationship with Spirit will be a successful one."
The MRJ is a 70- to 90-seat class aircraft that will include cutting-edge
technology offering operational economy and cabin comfort for its passengers.
The first delivery of the airplane is scheduled in 2013.
About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Based in Wichita, Kan., Spirit AeroSystems is the world's largest
independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components. In
addition to its Kansas facility, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester,
Okla., Prestwick, Scotland, and Samlesbury, England, and is developing new
manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Malaysia. In the U.S., Spirit's
core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components.
Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support services, including
spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in North
America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of
customers, including Airbus.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future
business opportunities. Actual results may vary materially from those
projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to future levels of business in the aerospace and commercial transport
industries or in the number of aircraft to be built; the success and timely
progression of our customers' new programs; challenges in the design,
development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed in Spirit
AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
On the web: http://www.spiritaero.com
SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Contact: Debbie Gann, Corporate Communications, +1-316-526-3910, for Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.