The M700 program almost disappeared from radars except when the Chinese company officialese a new agreeement with a supplier; once again, the Chinese program comes back to the headlines to announce a new partnership.
The Xian MA700 is a twin-engine, medium-range turboprop airliner currently under development by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. When the aircraft was first announced in 2007, it was presented as a 70-seats aircraft. However, when a model of the aircraft was shown at the 2008 Zhuhai Airshow, it was touted as capable of offering about 80 seats in 4-abreast configuration. Preliminary design was reviewed in January 2017, before detailed design.
The 18th of February, Safran Electrical & Power announced they signed a contract with the Chinese aircraft manufacturer AVIC XAC commercial Aircraft (AVIC XCAC) to supply the main and auxiliary power generation system for the Chinese manufacturer's future regional twin turboprop engine.
Zhu Jianxin, AVIC President took advantage of this "important step in development of the MA700's power generation system" to review the program schedule. And the least we can say is that it had fallen further behind.
Initially planned end 2017, then end 201_, the maiden flight of MA700 isn't expected for next year.
"2019 will be a rich and decisive year for the MA700 program, both in terms of product delivery and testing, to ensure the first flight planned for 2020. »
During last summer at Farnborough Airshow 2018, the Chinese company signed 7 contracts with western suppliers as Collins Aerospace, Thales, Megitt and Parket Hannifin for avionic integration in the MA700, the transformer-rectifier, fire protection system and main flight control actuators.
More practically, Safran Electrical & Power will supply the variable frequency power generation system and optimized lubrication system to reduce maintenance cost. This system was the subject of an agreement between the two parties at Zuhai 2014 trade show where Safran and Xi'AN Aircraft signed a letter of agreement.
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