On 3 October 1985,
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) of West Germany signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) with
China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to jointly study the feasibility of an aircraft designated the MPC 75, a
propfan-powered
regional aircraft that would seat 60 to 80 passengers. 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. 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). The ATD was a revived
VFW 614. ==Design==