Honda and GE to make jet engines

[dArKeR]

Honda of Japan and General Electric of the US have agreed to manufacture engines together for small business jets as the carmaker bids to enter the $9.4bn a year business jet market against such potential rivals as Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney Honeywell, Williams and MTU.

The move, announced yesterday, paves the way for Japan's second-largest carmaker to exploit its compact jet engine business commercially, a dream of Soichiro Honda, its late founder.

The two companies are to develop Honda's new HF118 turbofan jet engine, which was unveiled last December. Under the agreement, Honda and GE will jointly certify and market the engine, which will be used in aircraft up to 10-seaters.

Japan's civil aerospace industry remains small compared with its electronics and industrial sectors, but is expanding, mainly via such co-operation deals.

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[Catholic Sensation]

1. Now the question about the Honda jets

is will they be easily modified like their civics?

[catzies]

2. I saw a film clip of the Honda Jet! It's cool!

What I want to know is, can Asimo the Robot fly the Honda Jet? ;)

Dammit can't find the film clip! Found this though:

A Compact Jet and a Piston Aircraft Engine
Honda is taking aim at the sky. Two of our recent challenges include the development of a compact business jet and a piston aircraft engine. Honda’s US R&D operation has already created a prototype of the jet, which is entering the test flight phase. Meanwhile, Honda has completed development of a prototype next-generation piston aircraft engine that is expected to be superior in terms of weight, fuel efficiency, power output and exhaust emissions. A market feasibility study to explore the engine’s commercial potential is now underway.

[Catholic Sensation]

3. Found a pic of it... interesting to say the least