On the eve of NBAA 2006, Honeywell made it official that it is developing technology and hardware toward launch of a 10,000-pound-thrust turbofan engine for super-midsize to large business jets.

At a Sunday evening media event here in Orlando, the Phoenix-based engine and avionics manufacturer unveiled a model of the newly dubbed HTF10000, with an external diameter 10 to 15 percent larger than the Honeywell HTF7000 on which much of its architecture will be based.

Bob Smith, Honeywell director of advanced technology, said the engine would build upon the demonstrated reliability of the HTF7000 now flying aboard the Bombardier Challenger 300, which has achieved a 99.99-percent dispatch reliability rate through 140,000 flight hours since its introduction in 2004. Using the HTF7000 as a baseline, a new 10,000-pound Honeywell engine would have low development risk while incorporating  technologies that would give a launch customer improved performance and durability, he predicted.

Smith said Honeywell is actively consulting with prospective OEMs likely to require an HTF10000-size engine over the next decade, noting that the company expects to be ready with proven technology when an airframe program launches.

Planning for the new 10,000-pound-thrust class engine incorporates next generation “green” technologies and a new forward swept fan to improve performance, durability and fuel efficiency with lower emissions levels and reduced noise. Smith noted that a considerable amount of the advanced component technology has already undergone test rig development with more engine core elements currently in test.

“We believe a new engine in this thrust range will meet Stage 3 -30 noise requirements and class-5 emission standards,” Smith said.  “By incorporating novel acoustic treatments and advanced nozzles, this engine could easily meet current and anticipated future requirements necessary for a greener environment.”

Ron Rich, director for advanced mechanical technologies, earlier told NBAA Convention News, “This truly is a breakthrough in green technologies for business jet aviation.  We also believe an engine in this thrust class should be a true on-condition engine, with LRUs that can be serviced quickly with tools common to every toolbox.

“Our design for an engine of this size would enable ‘remove-and-replace’ service to be accomplished in hours as opposed to days, and would feature borescope ports for a full 360-degree visibility to all gas path components for easy maintenance.” That process is already well along, with the number of tools required for the HTF7000 having been reduced to just 13.

Honeywell’s propulsion business, as Garrett Engines, pioneered small gas turbines in the late 1940’s.  Today Honeywell has more than 65,000 fielded propulsion engines worldwide with nearly 250 million hours of service.