The Honda Aircraft Company has announced that it will commercialize the HondaJet 2600 Concept, an all-new light jet that was first introduced at the 2021 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).
The company also said it will target type certification in 2028 for the new light jet, which represents a new product line for Honda Aircraft Company. The new aircraft will be offered alongside its existing very light jet model, the HondaJet Elite II.
Nonstop transcontinental flight
The new light jet program has garnered a positive market reaction since its introduction at the 2021 NBAA-BACE. The new aircraft will surpass the performance, comfort, and efficiency of typical light jets by providing a medium-sized jet experience.
It is designed to be the world’s first light jet capable of nonstop transcontinental flight across the United States, with a quiet and spacious cabin suited for long-range travel and the ability to accommodate up to 11 occupants. The aircraft is also designed for single-pilot operation.
Additionally, based on the commitment of Honda Aircraft Company to reducing carbon emissions, the new light jet will deliver unparalleled fuel efficiency, with up to 20% better fuel efficiency compared to typical light jets, and over 40% better fuel efficiency than medium-sized jets during a typical mission.
“The commercialization of our new light jet represents Honda’s next chapter of skyward mobility, which further expands the potential of people’s lives,” said Hideto Yamasaki, President and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company.
“By building on the expertise behind our technological innovations, we will accelerate the development of the program with sustainability a key element throughout.”
[monsterinsights_popular_posts_inline]
Honda Aircraft Company has identified critical suppliers for the new light jet, entering into strategic supplier agreements with Aernnova for aerostructures and components, Garmin for avionics, Spirit AeroSystems for the fuselage, and Williams International for engines.
Honda Aircraft Company is finalizing engineering designs for the new light jet, with fabrication activities underway.
About Honda Aircraft Company
Honda Aircraft Company is an aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, responsible for the production of the HondaJet family of aircraft.
Originally a secret research project within Honda R&D, Honda Aircraft Company was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor in August 2006 under the leadership of HondaJet designer Michimasa Fujino.
The company began delivering aircraft to customers in late 2015, and by the first half of 2017 its HondaJet had become the top-selling twin-engine light business jet.
Honda’s aircraft research began as a top-secret research project within Honda R&D in 1986. The project was initially just a team of four engineers as Honda built up its aviation division from scratch.
Lead designer Michimasa Fujino first developed the concept for the flagship “HondaJet” in 1997, and development began in 2000 when the engineering team relocated to the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. Until 2005, the HondaJet team operated out of a single hangar, and kept press releases to a minimum.
HondaJet key aircraft features
The HondaJet is a unique aircraft that features a number of innovative technologies, including:
Over-the-wing engine placement: The HondaJet’s engines are mounted above the wings, which reduces noise and vibration.
Integrated wing/fuselage structure: The HondaJet’s wing and fuselage are integrated into a single structure, which makes the aircraft more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient.
Natural laminar flow (NLF) airframe: The HondaJet’s airframe is designed to reduce drag by using NLF, which is a type of aerodynamics that allows air to flow smoothly over the aircraft’s surface.
Honda Aircraft Company has become a major player in the business aviation market. The company has delivered over 100 HondaJets and has orders for over 200 more. Honda Aircraft Company is committed to continuing to develop innovative aircraft that meet the needs of its customers.
