History of Aero Engine Development
Let us introduce the history of the various engines, as well as the commercialization of the HF120, which is developed and offered in partnership with the General Electric Company(GE)
Phase 3 Reaching commercialization
(2004 to 2015)
Joint business and development with GE & Honda
February 2004
Honda formed a joint venture business with the General Electric Company(GE), the world's largest jet engine manufacturer.
GE Transportation President and CEO David L. Carhoun (left) & Honda President Takeo Fukui (right).
July 2004
Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Aircraft Engine R&D Center was established.
*Organization name changed to "Innovative Research Excellence, Power unit & Energy" in April 2020.
Innovative Research Excellence Power unit & Energy in Wako city, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
October 2004
Honda Aero, Inc., an aircraft engine business company, was established in the United States (Reston, Virginia at the time).
October 2004
GE Honda Aero Engines LLC, a joint venture of GE and Honda, was established in the United States. (Shareholding structure: GE 50% Honda 50%)
For more information about GE Honda Aero Engines, click here.
Joint Development of HF120
Launch of HF120 joint development: The HF120 was developed by a fusion of Honda’s HF118-2 technology and GE’s know-how.
October 2008
Honda Aero, Inc. main office and factory were completed. (Burlington, North Carolina).
November 2010
Started flight tests using test aircrafts equipped with HF120.
December 2010
Started flight tests using HondaJets equipped with HF120.
Certification from US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
December 2013
GE Honda Aero Engines HF120 Turbofan Engine received a type certification from FAA.
GE Honda Aero Engines LLC, President Terry Sharp (right) & Vice President Masahiko Izumi (left).
March 2015
Honda Aero, Inc. received a production certification from the FAA. (FAA had not issued this certification for the jet engine for the last 23 years)
FAA Production Certificate examiner (center right) surrounded by Honda Aero, Inc. associates who were delighted to receive the Production Certification.
Start of delivery to end-customers
December 2015
HondaJet, equipped with GE Honda Aero HF120 engines, received its aircraft a Type Certification from FAA and the started delivery to end-customers.
The first HF120 of mass production engine(center) with Honda Aero, Inc. associates.