TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - General Electric Co has offered to develop the engine for Japan's first domestically made passenger jetliner, now under development by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd and the government, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, without citing sources.
In August, Mitsubishi Heavy and Rolls-Royce Plc signed a memorandum of understanding to discuss a possible engine-development arrangement, the business daily said.
Mitsubishi Heavy, which plans to determine the engine specifications this fiscal year, is expected to hold separate talks with Rolls-Royce and GE, now that the US firm has shown interest.
GE produces the CF34 engine, which is used on smaller planes seating 100 or less, and is expected to propose a modified version to Mitsubishi Heavy, the Nihon Keizai said.
Mitsubishi Heavy is planning to have the jet in commercial use by fiscal 2012.
(1 usd = 117.43 yen)
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