FHI traces its beginnings to Nakajima Aircraft Co., Ltd., founded in 1917. Since then, the technologies and spirit of innovation FHI inherited from aircraft operations have enabled the Company to maintain a leading position in the Japanese aerospace industry through involvement in the development and manufacture of diverse types of aircraft. The Aerospace Company’s innovative technologies have made it No. 1 in various business segments, such as in the development and manufacturing technologies for main wings and other structural aircraft components made from advanced composites and other materials as well as sophisticated systems integration technologies for combining the information technologies and flight control technologies of unmanned aircraft.
Regarding helicopters, in recognition of FHI’s previous performance, the Japan Defense Agency has made the Company the prime contractor for the AH-64D combat helicopter, and deliveries of this product began during 2006.
FHI’s solid track record in the area of fixed-wing aircraft includes delivery to the Japan Defense Agency of the first domestic jet, the T-1 trainer, and many other products, including the T-7 primary trainers that are currently in use. The Company is also participating in the projects aimed at concurrently developing, designing, and manufacturing next-generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Cargo Transport Aircraft (P-X/C-X).
In large commercial airplanes programs, FHI has been deeply involved in the manufacture of components for Boeing aircraft since 1973 and has earned a reputation for dependably strong technological capabilities. The Company has a strong record in the cooperative development and manufacture of such Boeing aircraft as the 767 and 777. FHI has been responsible for the vital center-wing section that joins the main wings and the fuselage of the 777 and is currently undertaking the same task for the new midsized 787, for which assembly of other major structural elements has already begun.
FHI’s strength in unmanned aircraft is demonstrated by its development for the Japan Defense Agency of the unmanned helicopter-based Flying Forward Observation System (FFOS), which has been manufactured since 2003. Another illustration of FHI’s outstanding technological capabilities in this field is the Company’s successful development and testing of a Fuji Aerial Robot (FABOT) system that uses a GPS for navigation and autonomously handles takeoffs and landings by small fixed-wing aircraft.
The new market segment of small jet aircraft is attracting increasing attention in the United States, and FHI has also been commissioned to supply the main wing portion of U.S.-based Eclipse Aviation Corporation’s Eclipse 500 jet, which is designed based on consideration of potential demand changes in aircraft markets. Deliveries of main wing portions began in 2006. The Company is also seeking to develop FHI-brand aircraft in the future.
As previously described, the Aerospace Company has a powerful array of technologies developed over the years. It is aiming to further strengthen and expand its presence in the global aerospace market by continually taking proactive measures to address opportunities in additional segments of that market.