Unison electrical systems selected for new HF120 light jet engine

Unison Industries today announced that it has been selected to be the Tier 1 supplier of electrical systems on the new HF120 turbofan produced by GE Honda Aero Engines.  The 10-year contract calls for Unison to supply and install electrical sets with an estimated value of $44.8 million over the life of the agreement.  Currently, the new HF120 will power HondaJet, Honda's first-ever commercial jet, and the Freedom S-40, Spectrum Aeronautical's second entry in the business jet market.

"Unison is pleased to be selected by GE Honda as the Tier 1 supplier and integrator of electrical systems for GE Honda's new light jet engine," said Paul Theofan, Unison's vice president of marketing and sales.  "The HF120 is another significant accomplishment in GE and Honda's engine history, and we are committed to supporting the team's effort by manufacturing the highest quality engine products to help launch two of the industry's leading business jets."

The complete electrical system on the HF120 includes exciters, ignition leads and plugs, speed, temperature and pressure sensors, a chip detector sensor, and harnesses.  The electrical components are being manufactured at Unison's plant in Jacksonville, Florida, with the exception of the temperature sensors, which will be produced at the company's Norwich, New York location, and wiring harnesses, which will be manufactured in Saltillo, Mexico.  The pressure and chip detector sensors are being outsourced to Unison's suppliers.

The HF120 turbofan engine, which is rated at more than 2,000 pounds of thrust, draws from GE and Honda's technology, leadership, and experience, and is being designed and tested with the goal of setting new standards of performance for small jet engines in terms of fuel efficiency, durability, and low noise and emissions.  Certification for the HF120 production engine is targeted for 2009.  GE Honda Aero Engines envisions annual sales of at least 400 engines in this thrust class.

HondaJet and the Freedom S-40 are both expected to begin service in 2010.