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Recently in Fokker Category

XF100ng.jpgXF70ng.jpgJust in case you were worried that there weren't enough 70-100-seat commercial aircraft being offered in the next decade, a newly funded and resurrected Fokker Aircraft is hoping to join the fray with a next generation F-100 and F-70. 

Just so we're clear, a next gen 100-seat Fokker - dubbed the XF100 NG - would compete along side the currently operating Embraer E-190/195 and Bombardier CRJ900/1000, and lesser utilized Airbus A318 and Boeing 737-600, and by 2015 would have the CS100, Mitsubishi MRJ90/100 and Sukhoi Superjet 100 to compete with. This market is not hurting for new entrants.

That being said, the €20m ($27m) loan from the Dutch economics ministry would enable NG Aircraft to take the F-100 prototype (PH-MKH), now stored in Woensdrecht in The Netherlands, and add new engines, new continuous isobar winglets, add range and fuel capacity and a new interior with IFE and LCD lighting for an assembly completion by 2015. An XF70 NG would presumably follow later.

By the look of the renderings on the company's website, the XF-100NG appears to be sporting a BR725 engine like that of the Gulfstream G650, though a powerplant choice isn't stated. NG Aircraft appears to have an interesting view of the marketplace moving forward, but there will be a stiff headwind for development against multiple clean sheet designs, but that's not to say I'm not extremely intrigued by this concept. Let's see how this one plays out.

From a business perspective, those chasing the dream of resurrecting the F-100 and F-70, might actually have a case to make. Airlines love clean sheet designs for all the goodies (and added efficiency) they bring to the table. However, NG Aircraft is looking at an already established design, making their investment more an incremental evolution of existing technology. They believe that their winglets will provide a 2% improvement in fuel burn, but give no indication of the efficiency with the new engines. Yet, the real savings to NG might come from manufacturing costs which the company believes can be reduced by 20% with high-speed milling, castings, extrusions and an overall reduction in parts. Could NG regain market share on discount pricing alone?

Photos Credit NG Aircraft

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