GE Honda Aero Engines begins full engine testing of HF120

GE Honda Aero Engines begins full engine testing of HF120

GE Honda Aero Engines has begun testing the first full HF120 demonstration engine (including maximum thrust levels) at Honda’s Aircraft Engine R&D Center in Japan. Over the next five months, GE Honda will conduct an array of tests on several HF120 demonstrator engine builds to verify performance operability, thermal characteristics, and component efficiencies. This full-engine testing follows several months of engine core (hot section) tests on several builds of hardware.

The aggressive HF120 test schedule this year is geared to validate significant design enhancements to the engine before full certification testing begins in 2008. Currently, the company is finalizing and releasing hardware for the seven HF120 engines in the certification program.

“This is an exciting and intense period in the development program,” said Bill Dwyer, president of GE Honda Aero Engines. ” We are validating our latest design enhancements through as much core- and full-engine testing as possible before the first certification engines are assembled and tested.”

GE Honda tested the HF120 core (compressor, combustor, high-pressure turbine) this past spring to validate aeromechanical characteristics of the compressor and turbine airfoils. The second core test conducted this summer focused on overall component performance and engine thermal characteristics.

The GE Honda HF120 engine was formally launched in October 2006 when it was selected to power both the HondaJet advanced light jet and the Spectrum Aeronautical “Freedom” business jet. HF120 certification is targeted for 2009, with entry into service on both aircraft scheduled to begin in 2010.

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