Honda embarked on research into small gas turbine engines for aircraft at its Wako Research Center in 1986. In 1999, work started on the design of the HF118 turbofan engine as a compact, lightweight, fuel-efficient and low- emission jet engine. From June 2002,high altitude tests were carried out and in December 2003, the first full-scale flight test was successfully carried out in North Carolina, USA.
In the development of HF118, Honda used its proprietary computational fluid dynamics software to optimize airflow within the compact engine, maximizing performance, and also applied electronic control technology originally developed for automotive applications to create the first ultra-compact Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) system for this class of engine.
The result is an engine of simple structure that employs no variable mechanisms and yet delivers superior operability and reliability. In October 2004, Honda and General Electric Co. (GE), the world's largest jet engine manufacturer, set up a joint venture company.Honda took its first step towards starting a new business.
Honda is working in partnership with GE on development of Honda's first mass-produced engine, the HF120, as an improved version of the HF118. |
We established the Aircraft Engine R&D Center in July 2004 to develop the world's best aircraft engines and take Honda to a new level of achievement. The new facility will build on the research carried out on small-sized gas turbine engines for aircraft at the Fundamental Technology Research Center to develop innovative technology and products capable of generating new business growth.
