GE Honda Aero Engines has decided to improve the HF118 small turbofan after losing the contest to power Embraer's new very light and light jets.
Rather than freeze the design as planned, the 50:50 joint venture will test component and core enhancements before deciding, by mid-2006, whether to launch certification of the engine.
The original Honda-developed HF118 is now regarded as the "proof of concept" engine, says programme manager Mark Wagner. Production engines in the 1,000-3,500lb thrust (4.45-15.5kN) range would be developed by scaling up or down from the 1,700lb-thrust HF118.
Recent enhancements include increased airflow and improved efficiency in the high-pressure compressor and new single-crystal high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades using three-dimensional aerodynamics. These changes have reduced specific fuel consumption by 4% and weight by 8%. The fan is being enhanced with high-flow, wide-chord swept blade technology from the GE90 large turbofan.
An HF118 was run at GE's Peebles, Ohio outdoor test facility this month.
GRAHAM WARWICK/GENEVA
Source: Flight International
