SAAB's new turboprop

[joflin]

joint venture in Asia

There are production plans for India;

Saab establishes a joint venture with Indian company QuEST Global Man

Let's see if "Quest Global Manufacturing" ( engineering consultants ) have lined up any aircraft customers ..?

[DaveReidUK]

There are production plans for India

Yes - for aerostructures, nothing to do with launching a new aircraft programme:

"This is a long-term commitment in a strategically important market for Saab and it further establishes Saab as a global actor in the commercial aerostructures market”

If anything, I'd say that this new announcement makes the likelihood of Saab re-entering the turboprop marketplace even more remote.

[xchox]

Fairchild was going to stretch the Dornier 328 into the 428 and 428JET but saw no market.

Saab 2000 was a great plane, But then again so was the BAe ATP. There is a reason they went bust. To make a comeback... that takes balls... and for that, I applaud Saab!

A little off topic, Fairchild Dornier also canceled the 728... I am surprised Bombardier didn't jump on that when they had the chance. C-Series would have been on-line years ago competeing with Embraer, as opposed to Embraer having a huge head start in the mini twin market.

Speaking of mini twin market... I also hear the Fokker 100 is making a comeback?!?!?!

[keesje]

Bombardier also talking to Fokker about taking over the F70/F100. A light airframe that needed better engines. I guess the Fokker people at that time where still too proud / stubborn / legally restricted.

[DaveReidUK]

Bombardier also talking to Fokker about taking over the F70/F100.

At any given time, Bombardier are probably talking to most other manufacturers. In this instance, their main interest will be in ensuring that the F70/F100 remains dead.

A light airframe that needed better engines. I guess the Fokker people at that time where still too proud / stubborn / legally restricted.

At the time the F100 was being developed, the Tay was the best fit for the aircraft size and mission.

[keesje]

DaveReidUK, BBD talking to Fokker -> 16 yrs ago.

I wonder if the Tay was the best possible choice. Fokker had a close relationship with RR. However IMO it was already clear the CF34s were superior in nearly every aspect. The BPR of ~3, Spey heritage..

[DaveReidUK]

However IMO it was already clear the CF34s were superior in nearly every aspect.

The original CF34 was far too small for the Fokker 100.

[43Inches]

Fokker would have chosen the best engine available at the time and one which the customer would accept and support.

The SAAB 340 design was initially planned to offer GE or PW engines. Very soon after the launch customer sentiment was very in favour of the GE product so the PW option was dropped.

Sometimes you can offer the next gen engine and customers don't like it and go with older tech because they know its reliability and cost factors. If the S2000 had launched on time and got the two year lead on the 50 seat RJs things may have been different.

[keesje]

The Tay might have been the only real offering and the most practical. However the CFM56, RJ500, V2500 were already in development, using far better BPR's, sfc etc.. Fokker must have know they were introducing yesterdays specs on tomorrow's aircraft..

[DaveReidUK]

Fokker must have know they were introducing yesterdays specs on tomorrow's aircraft

On the other hand, they were probably glad they hadn't bet the ranch on the RJ500 ...