Wichita, Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems (Spirit) has announced it is to manufacture the composite fuselage and a composite bonded frame for the Honda Aircraft Company’s HondaJet 2600 Concept that was first unveiled at the 2021 NBAA-BACE.
“This agreement expands our Regional and Business Jet portfolio and is a testament to our expertise in advanced materials and processes,” said Alex Bellamy, Vice President of Regional and Business Jet Programs at Spirit AeroSystems. “Our experienced and diverse teams worldwide continue demonstrating our capabilities in building next generation aircraft.”
Spirit provides cutting-edge solutions that are designed to both improve performance and safety, while reducing costs, making it one of the most innovative and reliable supplier of regional and business jet aero structures. Spirit covers the full lifecycle from design through to aftermarket support.
The new HondaJet 2600 light jet designed by the Honda Aircraft Company aims to offer greater performance, comfort, and efficiency of typical light jets through the provision of a medium-sized jet experience. It has been 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 new light jet will deliver exceptional 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 typical operations.
Spirit was formed when Boeing Commercial Airplanes sold its Wichita division to investment firm Onex Corporation in 2005. The company builds several important pieces of Boeing aircraft, including the fuselage of the 737, portions of the 787 fuselage, and the cockpit section of the fuselage of nearly all of its airliners. Spirit also produces fuselage sections and front wing spars for the Airbus A350.
