as first proposed, the md-95 was to be powered by a thrust derivative of the jt8d-200 series with the rolls-royce tay 670 also considered as an alternative. this was confirmed in january 1992, when rolls-royce and mcdonnell douglas signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the tay-powered md-95. mcdonnell douglas said that the md-95 project would cost only a minimal amount to develop, as it was a direct offshoot of the iae-powered md-90.