The ACAC ARJ21 Xiangfeng (翔凤 Flying Phoenix] is a twin-engined regional airliner, and is the first passenger jet to be developed and indigenously produced by the People's Republic of China. This program is supported by 19 major U.S. and European aerospace components suppliers, including General Electric (engine production) and Rockwell Collins (avionics production).

Development
The ARJ21 is a key project, led by the government-controlled ACAC consortium, which began in March 2002 as part of China's "10th Five-Year Plan". The maiden flight of the ARJ21 was planned to take place in 2005 with formal handing over of the aircraft for use 18 months afterwards; however, the design work was delayed and the final trial production stage didn't begin until June 2006. The first aircraft was rolled out on 21 December 2007 with plans for a maiden flight in March 2008, and the aircraft is expected to become available to buyers in September 2009. The ACAC consortium aims to manufacture 11 ARJ21s a year by 2010, and 50 per year by 2015.

Design
The ARJ21 will be built using tooling which was originally provided by the McDonnell Douglas company for licence-production of the MD-90 in China. Consequently, it bears a strong resemblance to the DC-9 series of aircraft, with an identical cabin cross section, nose profile and tail. The general designer of the aircraft was Mr. Wu Guanghui (吴光辉), and the deputy general designer was Mr. Zhou Jisheng (周济生), with the general engineer was Ms. Jiang Liping (姜丽萍, 1968- ). An all-new supercritical wing, which will have a sweepback of 25 degrees and be fitted with winglets to improve aerodynamic performance, has been designed by Antonov.

Besides the baseline and the stretched models, there will also be standard- and extended-range versions, as well as all-passenger, freight and business jet variants.

Manufacturer
Members of the ACAC consortium, which was formed to develop the aircraft, will manufacture major components of the aircraft:

- Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group: construction of the nose
- Shanghai Aircraft Company: final assembly
- Shenyang Aircraft Corporation: construction of the empennage (complete tail unit)
- Xian Aircraft Company: construction of the wings and fuselage

The Shanghai Aircraft Research Institute and the Xian Aircraft Design and Research Institute, which are also members of the consortium, are responsible for the design.

Variants

ARJ21-700
The ARJ21-700 is the baseline of the ARJ21 series, powered by two GEAE's CF34-10A high bypass ratio turbofan engines. It can provide 78 seats in mixed class configuration or 90 seats in all economic class configuration. ARJ21-700 consists of two versions: The Standard Range (STD) version is mainly used to meet the operating requirements for the spoke air routes from the hub to smaller airports; The Extended Range (ER) version can meet the requirements for the "slim" point-to-point air routes.

Range:
The design range is 2,225km (1,200nm) for the ARJ21-700 Standard Range (STD) version with standard passenger payload (SPP). The design range is 3,700km (2,000nm) for the ARJ21-700 Extended Range (ER) version with standard passenger payload (SPP). The maximum cruise speed 0.78 mach¡«0.80 mach

ARJ21-900
The ARJ21-900 is the stretched version of the ARJ21 series, powered by two GEAE's CF34-10A high bypass ratio turbofan engines. It can provide 98 seats in mixed class configuration or 105 seats in all economic class configuration. ARJ21-900 consists of two versions: The Standard Range (STD) version is mainly used to meet the operating requirements for the spoke air routes from the hub to smaller airports; The Extended Range (ER) version can meet the requirements for the "slim" point-to-point air routes.

Range:
The design range is 2,225km (1,200nm) for the ARJ21-900 Standard Range (STD) version with standard passenger payload (SPP). The design range is 3,334km (1,800nm) for the ARJ21-900 Extended Range (ER) version with standard passenger payload (SPP). The cruise speed is 0.78 mach¡«0.80 mach

ARJ21F
The ARJ21F is the freighter of ARJ21 series, developed for the rapidly increasing needs of cargo transportation market. The main hold is 19.033 meter long, which can arrange about 5 LD7 containers or 4-5 PIP pallets. The maximum payload is 10,150kg.

Range:
The design range is 3,334 km(1,800nm). The cruise mach number is 0.78¡«0.80.

ARJ21B
The ARJ21B is the business jet of ARJ21 series, and it is developed for the fast growing aviation market of business travel. The business class has office area, attaches area, sleeping area and specified room and it provides a comfort, quiet, and personal jet atmosphere.

Range:
The Range with full passengers (20 persons) is 6,112km(3,300nm). Cruise speed is 0.80 Mach.

Specifications (ARJ21-700)

General characteristics
- Capacity: 78-85 passengers
- First class: 38 in seat pitch with 2+2 seating arrangement
- Economy class: 32 in seat pitch with 3+2 seating arrangement
- Payload: 16.799 m³ (593.25 ft³)
- Cabin length: 18.426 m (60 ft 5.43 in)
- Length: 33.46 m (109 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 27.29 m (89 ft 7 in)
- Height: 8.44 m (27 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 79.86m² (859.61ft²)
- Empty weight: 24.955kg (55,016lb)
- Loaded weight: kg (lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 40,500 kg (89,300 lb)
- Fuel tank capacity: 10,386 kg (22,897 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric CF34-10A turbofans, 68.20 kN (15,332 lbf) each

Performance
- Cruise speed: 0.78 Mach (829 km/h, 515 mph)
- Range: 3,700km (2,000nm)
- Standard: 1,200 nmi (2,200 km) (1,400 mi, 2,200 km)
- Extended: 2,000 nmi (2,300 mi, 3,700 km))
- Service ceiling 11,900 m (39,042 ft)
- Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)