MPC 75
MPC 75 was an aircraft project of the company "MPC Aircraft GmbH" a subsidiary of "Deutsche Airbus". Work on the project was done mainly between 1988 and 1992 in Hamburg, Germany. Predevelopment work was finished, however the project never got the "go ahead" and never made it into full development.
History
In October 1985, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by between Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) of West Germany and the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to study the feasibility of an aircraft designated the MPC 75.[1] MPC 75 development was started by MBB in 1988 in Hamburg, West Germany. The name "MPC" was formed from "MBB" and "People's Republic of China" because the project was a German - Chinese joint venture. In the wake of restructuring German aerospace companies in 1989, MBB was taken over and the MPC 75 project came under "Deutsche Airbus GmbH". "Deutsche Airbus GmbH" was representing the independent German part of the Airbus consortium. For the development of MPC 75 restructuring did not make a difference since the same engineers continued the design work.[2]
On 07.01.1989 "MPC Aircraft Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung" (HRB41092) - abbreviated to "MPC Aircraft GmbH" - was founded with head office in Hamburg. Eventually it became a 100% subsidiary of "Deutsche Airbus GmbH". "MPC Aircraft GmbH" formally took over the MPC 75 project. On 13.12.1994 the company was renamed to "MPCA Multi Purpose Commuter Aircraft GmbH" reflecting the end of the German - Chinese cooperation. Abbreviated the company name remained "MPC Aircraft GmbH".[3]
The first design of the MPC 75 was a 75-seat (4 abreast) regional jet, with an open rotor propfan and a T-tail. In the later development, the design changed to an 89-seat (5 abreast) regional jet, with conventional turbofan engines and a conventional empennage (MPC 75-100). A stretched version with a capacity of 115 seats was also planned (MPC 75-200).[4]
The fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control technology accumulated in the project was later fed into a research aircraft called Advanced Technology Demonstrator ATD. The ATD was a revived VFW 614.[2]
Construction
The MPC 75 was designed with a high amount of composite materials to save structural weight. Flight control was based on fly-by-wire with sides-sticks and CRT displays. The jet had two high bypass ratio engines. The new technologies would have led to low operational costs per trip and seat compared to other aircraft at that time.[4]
Specifications
| Variant | MPC 75-100 | MPC 75-200 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum take-off weight (MTOW) | 39,950 kg (88,070 lb) | 45,100 kg (99,400 lb) |
| Maximum landing weight (MLW) | 37,950 kg (83,670 lb) | 42,850 kg (94,470 lb) |
| Maximum zero-fuel weight (MZFW) | 35,350 kg (77,930 lb) | 41,000 kg (90,000 lb) |
| Operating empty weight (OEW) | 24,500 kg (54,000 lb) | 27,000 kg (60,000 lb) |
| Maximum structural payload (outboard tanks) | 10,450 L (2,760 US gal) | |
| Maximum structural payload (center section tanks) | 5,000 L (1,300 US gal) | |
| Seats (typical two-class) | 82 | 107 |
| Seats (single class) | 89 | 115 |
| Cabin width (armrest level) | 3.23 m (10 ft 7 in) | |
| Stowage volume (overhead) | 6.54 m3 (231 cu ft) | 8.75 m3 (309 cu ft) |
| Stowage volume (underfloor) | 18.15 m3 (641 cu ft) | 27.55 m3 (973 cu ft) |
| Wing area | 92 m2 (990 sq ft) | |
| Wing span | 29.7 m (97 ft 5 in) | |
| Height | 10.2 m (33 ft 6 in) | |
| Length | 28.5 m (93 ft 6 in) | 33.6 m (110 ft 3 in) |
| Engine thrust | 62.3 kN SLST (14,000 lbf) | 73.4 kN SLST (16,500 lbf) |
| Range (standard) | 1,600 nmi (3,000 km; 1,800 mi) | 1,400 nmi (2,600 km; 1,600 mi) |
| Range (with center wing fuel tank) | 2,600 nmi (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) | |
References
Citations
- Geisenheyner, Stefan (June 13, 1987). "Germany beyond Airbus: Promising projects and financial woes dominate the West German aerospace industry". Flight International. Vol. 131 no. 4066. Bonn, West Germany. pp. 116–118. ISSN 0015-3710.
- http://MPC75.ProfScholz.de
- http://www.genios.de/?explicitSearch=true&q=H1453589.NR.&ZG_PORTAL=UBROWSING&dbShortcut=:2:ALLEQUELLENNEU-132_:2:HANDELSREGISTER
- http://www.ProfScholz.de/MPC75/MPC75_Briefing.pdf
Bibliography
- ZABKA, Werner; MEHDORN, Hartmut: Technologie-Kooperation mit China : Das Beispiel Flugzeugbau. Oberhaching, Aviatic, 1997. - ISBN 3925505423
- "DASA confirms 130-seat rivalry" (PDF). Headlines. Flight International. Vol. 138 no. 4241. November 7–13, 1990. p. 5. ISSN 0015-3710.
- Moxon, Julian (September 19–25, 1990). "Regional angle on jets". Farnborough Review. Flight International. Vol. 138 no. 4234. pp. 34–35. ISSN 0015-3710.
- "MBB/Catic offer new-look MPC75" (PDF). Technical: Air Transport. Flight International. Vol. 137 no. 4212. April 18–24, 1990. p. 20. ISSN 0015-3710.CS1 maint: date format (link)
- Middleton, Peter (April 8, 1989). "MPC gears up: The joint-venture MPC company, formed recently by MBB and the Chinese Government, is now actively defining the MPC75 airliner project in preparation for a decision to go-ahead at the end of 1990". Flight International. Vol. 135 no. 4159. Hamburg, West Germany. pp. 19–21. ISSN 0015-3710.
- "MBB to build Chinese propfan" (PDF). World News. Flight International. Vol. 129 no. 4015. Hannover, West Germany. June 14, 1986. p. 2. ISSN 0015-3710.
- van de Krol, Ronald (June 7–8, 1986). "MBB sees big potential in China plane venture". Business Roundup. International Herald Tribune (32127). Hannover, West Germany. p. 19. ISSN 0294-8052.
External links
- Short Description and Images of the MPC 75 ( Retrieved: 3. December 2012 )
- ATD Research Aircraft - used the fly-by-wire system of the MPC 75 ( Retrieved: 3. December 2012 )